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TELESCOPIC
- Two of the protective domed housings in the grounds of Herstmonceux
Castle.
FUTURE
OF SCIENCE CENTRE UNCERTAIN WITH POTENTIAL CLOSURE IN 2026 It has been a difficult time for the
Herstmonceux
Castle Estate, issues with the castle building have led to the
prolonged closure of the university and popular events venue and plans
for significant building works are underway. During this difficult time
the owners of the estate ‘Bader College’ have made a difficult decision
and announced that the lease for The Observatory Science Centre will not
be renewed when it comes up in 2026.
The following statement from Bader College is quoted from Heathfield
News:
STATEMENT CONCERNING THE OBSERVATORY SCIENCE CENTRE
“The Board of Trustees of Bader College made the difficult
decision not to renew a long-term lease with The Observatory Science
Centre when its lease expires in 2026.
“We are committed to the long-term success of the college and
the Herstmonceux property. We will soon be embarking on a full
operational and strategic review concerning the future orientation of
the college and the Herstmonceux property on which it is located.
Signing a long-term lease in advance of that effort would necessarily
prejudice its outcome.
“We appreciate the decision not to renew a long-term lease with
the Centre while we undertake our work creates significant challenges
for their operations and we respect their decision to find a new
location.
“Bader College and the Herstmonceux property have enjoyed a long
and mutually beneficial relationship with The Observatory Science
Centre. We continue to work closely with them through these times which
are challenging for both organizations. “
SCIENCE CENTRE APPEALS FOR HELP TO FIND A NEW HOME
Abbie Rumbold, Interim CEO, The Observatory Science Centre, is quoted as
saying:
“We will be very sad to leave the Observatory, which has been
our home for the past 30 years but we are excited at the prospect of
finding a new location for our many spectacular interactive science
exhibits. We hope that moving will allow us to develop, with more space
for science indoors and out and more school and holiday workshops – as
well as all you usually expect from us – engaging exhibits, science
shows and events. And hopefully all with increased accessibility so that
more members of the community can benefit.
Until then it will be business as usual – we are looking forward
to a great summer and then a year packed full of events for our 30th
anniversary in 2025.
So watch this space and please contact me at abbie@science-projects.org if you know somewhere you think might suit us!”
LOCAL GROUPS EXPRESS CONCERN OVER THE UNCERTAIN FUTURE FOR THE SCIENCE CENTRE
Local groups have expressed concern over this decision and the
impact it will have on the Observatory Science Centre which is set
within the ground of Herstmonceux Castle. The centre announced last week
it was looking for new premises. A petition has been started and
Wealden District
Council’s chief executive Trevor Scott
has written to the vice-chancellor of the university asking for clarity
on the future of the ongoing use and preservation of the heritage
assets and historic telescope on the site.
In his letter Mr Scott said, “As you will no doubt be aware, the
science centre is an important feature in our district. The science
centre not only protects the assets on the site, but also offers
educational and fun interaction in the field of science and space
exploration.
“As I understand it, the centre had over 60,000 visitors last year and the demand continues to grow.
“Since the announcement that you would be bringing their lease
to a close, we have had considerable contact from concerned people both
local and far and wide who are shocked at the prospect of the science
centre closing. At the present time, it is difficult for us to offer any
reassurance to those people as we only learnt about the decision when
the press statement was issued.
“I am therefore reaching out to ask if we could arrange a
conversation to get a better understanding around the future intentions
of the university for this site. We fully understand the challenging
financial position that you are facing at Herstmonceux Castle, with the
need for significant renovations.
[As a Grade II listed building]
“Nevertheless, the castle and the science centre are important
features and we would like to understand what your plans are for the
future and how we can help to ensure the ongoing use and preservation of
these historic buildings.”
[Difficult to respond to a council with a record
of enforcing on owners of listed buildings]
Councillor Paul Coleshill, Alliance for Wealden (Liberal Democrat) and lead councillor for
Climate Change
and Economy, who also represents Herstmonceux, said, “I was shocked to
hear about a proposed ending of the lease on the science centre at
Herstmonceux Observatory in the grounds of Herstmonceux castle.
“The whole estate – science centre, castle, and park – is owned
by Bader College of Queen’s University. The science centre is not only a
wonderful resource for young people provoking the wonder of science,
but also protects the heritage domes housing telescopes from the old
Greenwich observatory.
“We are disappointed not to have been kept informed by the
university, which we are still trying to contact. That said, we are in
discussions with the science centre to support them in any way we can.” Councillor
Mark Fairweather who also represents Herstmonceux, has not commented
so far. And is (apparently) not contactable by phone. 
ABOUT
THE SCIENCE CENTRE The
Observatory and Science Centre is a discovery venue where people can
experience Spectacular Science through the medium of interactive
activities - every exhibit is designed to be played with to see
what happens; investigate, learn and have fun!
They work in partnership with you and the education programme is constantly expanding offering options for both Day and Twilight experiences.
The Centre is unique among science centres because of its
connection with astronomy: being located within buildings that were part
of the former home of The
Royal Greenwich Observatory.
The Centre opened in 1995, with the aim of increasing
appreciation of science and technology through interactive hands-on
exhibitions, educational events and activities, taking into account the
site's historic
links. The vision was to become a place where everyone could
explore, discover and learn. The Centre has gone from strength to
strength and offers Spectacular Science and discovery amongst the domes
and telescopes of a world famous observatory.
The Observatory Science Centre is part of Science Projects Ltd.,
a company with charitable status dedicated to the promotion of science
for everyone and designers of interactive exhibitions and hands-on
exhibits since 1986. As a charitable organisation, profit from contract
work is invested into the site to maintain the Grade II* Listed building
and expand the exhibitions.
[This is the problem perhaps, the burden of
maintaining the Listing]
Registered in England No: 02186073 and a registered charity No:
298542. The registered office is 3 – 15 Stirling Road, Acton,
London. W3 8DJ. UK. 
After years of deteriorating conditions at Greenwich, the
Observatory moved to Herstmonceux Castle in Sussex. The move began in
1948 and was completed in 1957. While at Herstmonceux, the Observatory
was officially known as The Royal Greenwich Observatory,
Herstmonceux, though in actuality, is closer to Windmill
Hill.
LINKS
& REFERENCE https://www.change.org/p/save-the-observatory-science-centre-herstmonceux
https://www.theheathfieldnews.co.uk/future-of-herstmonceux-science-centre-uncertain-after-recent-announcement/
https://www.thekeep.info/
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