There are all sorts of ways of helping the Observatory.  If you are a millionaire, you can of course just write out a cheque.  But everyone can help, whether they are students, retired people on pensions, or hard-working folks in-between who are struggling to pay mortgages, raise children and run the car.  

But first, what do we need the money for?

We employ a Warden and an Assistant Warden - our only two members of staff - who of course have to be paid.  We pay as much as we can afford which is not a great amount.  They are dedicated staff and work long hours as anyone will find if they visit the Observatory.

We have to equip the Observatory so visitors can stay and be comfortable and we have to maintain it in as good a condition as we can.  That means providing all the sleeping, eating, and cooking facilities, including fridges, freezers, beds, furniture, bedding, carpeting.  It also means providing a generator and the fuel to run it so we can provide electricity (in the evenings and occasionally in the day time) and the central heating. We have just refurbished the kitchen with new cupboards (provided free and fitted by volunteers but we had to pay for collection and delivery to the island which was over £500).  We have four calor gas cookers (for the visitors and the staff) that we have to maintain and replace every so often.  And of course we have to provide all the calor gas for them.  We also rent accommodation for the Wardens and their family and that has to be maintained too.

From the birding point of view we have to provide mist nets, keep the heligoland in good repair, and buy all the rings and ringing equipment.  (We have just spent £500 on rings).  We have just acquired a shredder to deal with the willow that we cut from the withies.   And everything we take over to the island involves a cost as it has to be taken over by boat.

We maintain a library and a computer system for all our records.  We have a telephone system on the island now linked to the mainland which means we are not dependent on mobile networks.  But all this costs money to maintain and keep up to date.  We would like to get Satellite Broadband so we can access the internet but that will mean another annual cost.   

Because members of the public can stay at the Observatory, we have to conform to all the Health and Safety Regulations which costs us a lot of money every year.   We are currently looking at acquiring special water filters, improving the sewage facilities.  Annually, we have to have the electrics checked, the water, and the gas appliances and central heating system serviced.   We have just put in loft insulation to try and reduce our gas and fuel bills.  And don't forget, every calor gas container and every gallon of diesel for the generators and the central heating has to be shipped over from the mainland.   No longer are the days when we could collect drift wood from the beach to burn on the open fires. 

IF YOU CAN HELP (HOWEVER SMALL IT MAY BE) WE WOULD BE ETERNALLY GRATEFUL.  CHEQUES SHOULD BE MADE OUT TO "BBFO" (Bardsey Bird & Field Observatory) and sent to the Warden, BBFO, Cristin, Bardsey Island, Off Aberdaron, Via Pwllheli, Gwynedd LL53 8DE.

If you are a UK taxpayer you can create extra income for the Observatory by printing off & filling in the Gift Aid form and sending that off along with your joining form. (Friends of Bardsey Observatory).

If, however, you can't afford to send us even a small cheque, then you could:

1.  Become a member of the Friends of Bardsey - (Membership Form)
2.  Visit the Observatory as a paying guest to see what we do - you will have a fantastic time. (Vacancies)
3.  Purchase some of our Sales Goods - new and useful clothing complete with the new Bardsey logo (click here)
4.  Help us with fund raising - (An "ideas" page is being developed)
5.  Sponsored Event - e.g. walking, talking, sleeping!, running, birdwatching, raffle, etc.
6.  Purchase and donate equipment for the Observatory - See Wanted page