the royal astronomical society (ras) was formed in 1820, and from the very beginning, one of its major activities was to host scientific meetings. typically eight meetings each year were held at its headquarters in london (a practice which continues today). the growth of astronomical research throughout the uk and the concurrent increase in the number of ras fellows beyond the london area led to increased demand for meetings outside the capital. although occasional meetings were held in other locations to mark special events, the ras did not institute a regular programme of meetings outside london until after the major disruption to ras activities caused by the second world war.