forums
new posts
donate
UER Store
events
location db
db map
search
members
faq
terms of service
privacy policy
register
login




Location DB > England > Cornwall > Truro > Abandoned Observatory
 Name
Abandoned Observatory
 Viewing Options
Log in to activate viewing options
 Database Info
created by GC Intercept on 6/14/2010 9:39 PM
last modified by GC Intercept on 6/15/2010 8:51 AM
 Viewability
Publically Viewable Publically Viewable
This location has been labeled by its creator as Public, and therefore can be viewed by anyone.
 Overview
 Description
Two domes, hut, shipping containers and various portable facilities on roughly an acre of former waste land.
 Basic Information
Type: Building
Status: Abandoned
Accessibility: Easy
Recommendation: check it out if you're nearby
 Physical Information
Address

Truro, Cornwall
England
Owner: Private individuals
 Hazards
 Interesting Features
Observatory Domes
 Security Measures
  • fences
  • locked gates
  •  Historical Dates
    Built: 2000
    Closed: 2002
     Required Equipment
     Recommended Equipment

     History
    Around 1999 a group of amateur astronomers and volunteers set about building a small observatory complex. All the work was undertaken by members and supporters on a voluntary basis with the hope that all materials would be be donated. The site was cleared and construction started. A series of applications for grants were turned down because the project did not create many jobs and did not bring a sustainable economic input to the area. Although it received charitable status in 2000, the project remained desperately short of cash with an estimated £250,000 shortfall preventing the construction of a third dome and lecture rooms. From the look of the site and the fact that there has been very little construction in recent years, it is probably the case that the group was unable to secure any more cash. Predictably vandals have targeted the site and damaged the portable toilet, domes, caravan and hut. There is an out of date website related to the project which would also seem to indicate that the wheels have come off the venture.
     Media Coverage
    Extract from press release

    "At the time of the Eclipse a group of Astronomy enthusiasts got together and decided to build an astronomical observatory.
    The group meets on a monthly basis and many speakers have delivered a variety of interesting lectures.
    A piece of land at [xxxxxx] was identified as a possible site for the observatory and a 99-year lease has been agreed. The lease will be signed at the observatory meeting on 21 February 2002 at 18 Lemon Street, 7.30 pm.
    Designs for a building and domes have already been submitted and Carrick District Council has granted planning approval.
    Considerable effort has been undertaken to obtain grant funding from many organisations including Objective One. Despite the appeal of the project it fails to meet the current funding criterion that the grant makers are looking for.
    The stream of rejection letters has not deterred the members of the Observatory; indeed it has only served to strengthen their resolve that the project will happen one way or another.
    It was suggested, and unanimously agreed, that the members undertake the work themselves and appeal to local people and businesses to donate materials to the project, a sort of DIY 'Challenge Anneka'.
    The project will obviously take more time to complete, but for this year we have set ourselves the target of completing the works required to the long access lane and to build the first viewing platform. If all goes well we should complete the first observatory dome."

     Future Plans
    Unknown
     Stories


    Add your own story
     Photo Galleries
    Click to view gallery
    Dreams Unfulfilled
    Mon, Jun 14th, 2010
    posted by GC Intercept
    17 pictures
     


    Add your own photos

    Mark all galleries as Seen
     Web Links
    http://www.observatoryforcornwall.co.uk/
     Contribute

    Edit this Location
     Moderator Rating
    The moderator rating is a neutral rating of the content quality, photography, and coolness of this location.

    This location has not yet been rated by a moderator.
     Validation
    This location's validation is current. It was last validated by Steed on 6/15/2010 10:01 AM.

     Latest Changes
  • on Jun 15 10 at 10:01, Steed validated this location
  • on Jun 15 10 at 8:54, GC Intercept made this location available
  • on Jun 15 10 at 8:51, GC Intercept changed the following: History
  • on Jun 15 10 at 8:49, GC Intercept changed the following: Display Name, Real Name, Notes for Mods, Owner, Type, City, Province / State (please use full name), Country, Publically Viewable, History, Year Built, Year Closed, Status, Accessibility, Interesting Features, Recommendation, Security Measures, Media Coverage, Future Plans, Description, Web Links
  • on Jun 15 10 at 7:51, GC Intercept updated gallery picture Sticker
  • on Jun 15 10 at 7:50, GC Intercept updated gallery picture
  • on Jun 15 10 at 7:49, GC Intercept updated gallery picture Plan
  • on Jun 15 10 at 7:48, GC Intercept updated gallery picture
  • on Jun 15 10 at 7:48, GC Intercept updated gallery picture
  • on Jun 15 10 at 7:48, GC Intercept updated gallery picture
  •  Forum Threads about this Location
    New Thread
     Who's been looking?
    Click here to see who'se been looking.
     Report Problems
    Is this location inappropriate / broken / missing key info?
  • If it's something you can fix, please scroll up and click the EDIT button.
  • If this location was only posted a few days ago, give the creator time to work on it.
  • Please try sending a message directly to the creator of the location. You'll find that info at the top of this page.
  • Otherwise, ONLY if you've already tried to contact the original creator,: Click here to notify an administrator.



  • All content and images copyright © 2002-2024 UER.CA and respective creators. Graphical Design by Crossfire.
    To contact webmaster, or click to email with problems or other questions about this site: UER CONTACT
    View Terms of Service | View Privacy Policy | Server colocation provided by Beanfield
    This page was generated for you in 78 milliseconds. Since June 23, 2002, a total of 736316974 pages have been generated.