On the much-anticipated eclipse of the sun was visible in a narrow strip of Southern England.
One of the most sought after venues to view the event was the Isles of Scilly due to its reputation for good weather. The Islands would also be the first place in the whole of Europe to see this extravagant event.
Visitors flocked by the hundred to the Islands with all of the Islands’ campsites being close to bursting. As the national media flocked to the Southwest, setting up in Penzance, Falmouth and Plymouth, the Isles of Scilly were left without much media attention as the cost of getting a production group to the islands would be huge compared to that of getting them to one of the major towns or cities on the mainland. The famous astronomer Patrick Moore was actually booked into the St Martins Hotel originally but the BBC tempted him with an offer to present a live link from Falmouth so in the end he accepted that. Many regular holidaymakers were extremely excited that their holiday conincided with the eclipse as they avoided high charges set by guest houses and hotels seeking to make a profit from this natural spectacle.
As the special day approached and the counter on the local news went down day by day, the weather forecasters were becoming increasingly pessimistic about the chances of clear weather for the eclipse. On the eve of the 11 August, a still and clear night in Scilly, people partied on all of the Islands in anticipation and gratitude that the long, long wait was finally over.
The day itself dawned overcast and slightly murky but still with a few clear patches. As people flocked to the places they had chosen to watch the eclipse from, Annett, Sampson, The Garrison, Buzza Hill, King Charles’ Castle on Tresco and out at Troytown Maze on St. Agnes, as well as countless other well planned venues, there was an air of mystery and magic around.
At around five minutes until totality there was shock and excitement as the sun appeared, bright as ever in a gap in the clouds. 11:11 came, the entire isles, stood and watched in awe, as the light dimmed into a fantastic deep tone. It was not pitch black, it was not like dawn or dusk, it was simply enthralling. Almost a yellowy brown light filled the sky, unlike anything to which a comparison can be drawn. Such a fundamental event on such a gigantic scale was visible from our lonely corner of the globe. The seagulls rose from their chores and landed on their rocky perches amidst much squawking only to be rudely disturbed 90 seconds later when the period of totality was over.
One astounded regular visitor to the Islands described the eclipse itself simply as “beautiful”. The Isles of Scilly was one of, if not the only place on Britain to get a clear view of the eclipse, and alas, poor old Patrick Moore should have stuck with his original plans, he did not see the full magnificent event through the cloudy Cornish skies. The memory of this once in a lifetime experience will in fact live on, throughout the lives of everyone who was fortunate enough to witness this idyllic glimpse of the event to such a beautiful backdrop as the islands.