Some newbie advice appreciated please...

Hello all,
I have been seriously thinking about buying a telescope for a while now, and
I have now earmarked £400 for it. I have researched the web and have come up
with some ideas, but would appreciate some advice.

I think that I will be looking at a mix of Solar System and deep space
watching, but primarily would like to photograph planets. From what I have
learned, I think a refracting scope would suit best as it also gives me some
portability.

The main contender is SKYWATCHER EVOSTAR-120 for a refracting scope.

Has anyone got experience of this? How does it compare to either the
SKYWATCHER EXPLORER-200 or the TAL-150 (I know this is a bit like comparing
apples and oranges, but I would like to be sure).

Also, at this sort of scope size, realistically, how much will I be able to
see, I don't want to spend £400 and see bugger all, only to find out that a
little bit more would be really well spent.

Also does anyone know of an astronomical society in Gloucester?



Cheers

Mike