Herefordians gain pride of place

Hereford Museum is offering the chance to learn more about a father and son from the county who made a name for themselves in the worlds of astronomy and history.

A new exhibition will be showcasing the work of the Reverend Thomas William Webb (1806-85), a much-loved Victorian astronomer, and his father, the Rev John Webb (1776-1869), who wrote a history on how the English Civil War affected Herefordshire.

From his vicarage at Hardwicke, near Hay-on-Wye, the Reverend Thomas William Webb wrote numerous letters, articles and books to inform and enthuse others with his passion for star-gazing. His book “Celestial Objects for Common Telescopes”,  which ran to seven editions, is still used by amateur astronomers today.

His father, the Reverend John Webb, rector of Tretire, near Ross-on-Wye. was a historian who painstakingly researched the history of the English Civil War as it affected Herefordshire. His book, edited by Thomas after his death, is still used by historians as a resource on the period.

Mark and Janet Robinson first became fascinated with the Webbs when they moved into the old vicarage at Hardwicke property and have just finished editing a book about them which has a foreword written by astronomer Sir Patrick Moore.

Mark and Janet, together with museum staff, will be installing the exhibition at Hereford Museum’s community display cases and it will be open to the public from November 7 until January 5, 2007.

The exhibition will tell the story of the father and son and their interests from insects to telescopes, and caltrops to Roaring Meg. Caltrops were a form of metal-spiked weapon and Roaring Meg was a Roundhead mortar used in the Civil War to capture Goodrich Castle.

Objects on display from the museum and library collections include Thomas’ notebooks that document his observations on natural history, astronomy and archaeology in Herefordshire and there will be several items on loan from individuals and organizations.

Cllr Roy Stockton, Cabinet Member (Community Services), said: “It is wonderful that county residents will be able to learn from about these two eminent Herefordians.”