Sir Patrick Moore
Mention the name Sir Patrick Moore and the image you conjure up in your mind is of an ‘old codger’ and a monocle. How further from the truth could that be! For when I met the presenter of the longest running TV show, The Sky at Night, I was truly inspired, and that meeting back in 2005 has helped motivate me during many periods of my career. This charismatic icon of the astronomical world is far from an ‘old codger’ and is instead one of the most down-to-earth, passionate and professional people that I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and this is why I have chosen him as my Silver Saint.
I had been assigned to work on the publicity for his paperback book ‘Patrick Moore: The Autobiography’. Our first encounter together was on a cold afternoon in February and I had arrived at his house in West Sussex feeling a little nervous. However, as soon as I rang the doorbell my nervousness drifted away…Patrick answered the door, greeted me with a smile and invited me into his hectic yet wonderful world – whilst his telephone was ringing and film crew were leaving, he asked if I would check his Bonsai tree for water and then went on to offer me a glass of his favourite Greek wine – perfect!
From that day onward and throughout the campaign of Patrick’s book I began to learn so much about the man who lived and breathed his work on astronomy. Having lost the only girl for him in 1943, due to the war, he never married and lived as a bachelor. Even after sixty years ”there were still rare occasions when [he] could go for a whole half-hour without thinking about her – but not often.” This story really brought a tear to my eye, and made me realise that he was a true gentleman who had stayed loyal to the woman he loved. Patrick didn’t ever have any children and instead, to keep him company, he has two beautiful cats named Jeannie and Ptolemy who are so precious to him and are treated just as I imagine his children would have been. He mentions in his autobiography that whatever happens to him he has made sure that “Jeannie and Ptolemy will always be cared for and provided with ample Felix.” His relationship with his cats is so special and I think that I was so lucky to be able to see this bond.
I really admire the fact that Patrick kept on going after the loss of his love and I feel that he did this by putting all of his passion into his work on astronomy – this has included him writing more than 60 books on the subject and presenting The Sky at Night series since 1957 – he really is the Godfather of modern astronomy! I should also probably mention at this point that all of his books have been written on his 1908 Woodstock typewriter. Due to arthritis it has been more and more difficult for him to type his books on it, but he doesn’t give up. I remember him phoning me once and telling me that he was struggling to type but he said to me that he was as well as could be and would keep on going with it. Wow, what a guy! From meeting Patrick he has taught me that life is for living and you really do have to keep on going whatever obstacles are thrown in your way. Determination is the key to success and a happy life, and Patrick is definite proof of this.
What I also found amazing was the amount of people that wanted to learn that little bit more about him – this was evident from interviews with Richard & Judy, Steve Wright and Blue Peter, right through to young children attending his book signings to show him their prized school projects on astronomy. What many people probably don’t realise about Patrick is that he is more than happy to help anyone who wants to learn more about astronomy – he hands out his business cards to members of the public and tells them to pop by if they are ever in the vicinity. How many people do you know that would do that? I don’t know many!
As many people will know, Patrick was a great xylophone player and when we went to Blue Peter for the publicity of his autobiography, they asked if he could play them a little tune. Due to his arthritis, Patrick couldn’t play, but what I really admired, was that he didn’t let it get to him, he got on with things and stayed determined. That day, Patrick was awarded a Gold Badge from Blue Peter, and I felt so happy for him. It was a surprise that I had arranged with them, and to see just how it touched Patrick was delightful. He may have achieved a lot in his time but it was nice to know that small things still meant a lot to him. I know that he will treasure that Gold Badge forever.
I have to say that working with Patrick is definitely the most memorable part of my career. Patrick has touched many people’s lives with his passion for his work and I can certainly say that everyone that meets him has admiration for his enthusiasm and determination. At the age of 83 Patrick is still going strong; he has a ‘Sky at Night’ magazine out with the BBC and has recently just published another book with Brian May. Patrick states in the final chapter of his book: “clearly I am on the last lap, but I don’t mind; I think I have done most things I am capable of doing, and in the words of the famous song I have done things ‘my way’”. I think this clearly sums up Patrick. What an inspiration!
Natalie Barrington