Member Article

Businesses already gravitating to £8 million Kielder observatory astronomy project

An £8 million project to build the world’s largest public observatory and planetarium, as well as turning Kielder into a thriving educational science hub, is quickly gaining momentum following its recent launch.

Officially named the Kielder Observatory Astronomy Village, it has been estimated that the project will need funding of around £8.5 million to succeed.

The village will be based on the Kielder Observatory site already in use.

The observatory opened in March 2008 and has since hosted over 60,000 people, in groups of 40, and is sold out typically months in advance.

Director at Kielder Observatory Gary Fildes has spent the last ten years striving to unlock the potential held by the region and its capacity to flourish as an astronomical hotspot for stargazers.

Gary now wishes to upgrade facilities further and transform the site into becoming a centre for education, providing a unique service to the public.

The planned astronomy village is set to include a £500k telescope, a 60 seater planetarium and an accommodation block for visiting astronomers and members of the public wishing to stargaze.

North East entrepreneur Jacqui Miller MBE, who holds a staggering passion for both the project and the North East, is one of the key figures driving the scheme forward.

Jacqui has already expressed a great deal of thanks to businesses who have backed the scheme since its launch last week and now hopes that more will get on board with the project, as further awareness is raised.

Following a charity event held at St. James’ Park this week, it is thought that £50k has been raised already.

Jacqui Miller MBE, told Bdaily: “I am passionate about the wonderful region we live in and this project is something that I hope the lovely people of the North East will be passionate about too.

“We have the opportunity to create history, bringing a ‘world’s first’ to the region and I would love for people to embrace that.

“I want people to share my vision and enjoy being a part of leaving a legacy that will help so many people.

“I am immensely proud that the North East has a chance to inspire and educate future generations from our region and beyond, I really do encourage people to get in touch and help us to create history together.”

Email Jacqui at Jacqui.Miller@millergroundbreaking.com for more information about how you can support the project.

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