In 2011, the Purton Historical Society will be celebrating its 50th anniversary by
marking the bicentenary of the death of Rev Dr Nevil Maskelyne DD MA
FRS, the 5th Astronomer Royal. Maskelyne's family were land owners in the Purton area for over three hundred years and his holidays from Greenwich were spent at The Ponds, Purton Stoke, which he later inherited.
He was prominent in his attempts to solve "The Longitude Problem" and took part in many scientific expeditions at home and abroad, including one to the Highlands to establish the Specific Gravity of the Earth. He was also responsible for the compilation and publication of "The Nautical Almanac", an aid to mariners that established Greenwich as the Prime Meridian.
Maskelyne died in Feb 1811 aged 78 years. He was buried in St Mary's churchyard, Purton. A commemoration held on 11th February 2011 took the form of a wreath laying at his tomb, followed by a presentation on his life and achievements given to about one hundred people.
As part of the Nevil Maskelyne Bicentenary Project various celebratory events will be held in the village during 2011, including a special museum exhibition from mid May to 22" September on Maskelyne's work, where visitors can view contemporary scientific instruments. Of particular interest will be a portable Planetarium in the Village Hall on Friday 20th May.
A lecture entitled "High Astronomer of the Kingdom: Nevil Maskelyne and the pursuit of science in the age of reason" will be given by Dr Richard Dunn, Curator of the History of Navigation at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, at Bradon Forest School, Purton, on Saturday 21st May 2011, at 6.45pm.
On 20th August a Family Activity Day will be held in the Village Hall.
A resource pack is to be made available for schools and youth groups.
By following a village trail visitors will be able to discover what Purton
was like in Maskelyne's time.
