THE latest addition to Kielder’s award-winning observatory opened its doors for the first time last week.

The brand new, £250,000 observatory, known as the Gillian Dickinson Astroimaging Academy, features fully-automated telescopes, a retractable roof and a presentation room

Founder and chief executive of Kielder Observatory Gary Fildes said: “The new observatory will be dedicated to teaching, learning and research. We want to enthuse the next generation about astronomy and let them see, first hand, the amazing world around them.

“In an age where many of us are looking down at computers, phones and games consoles, this is a chance to look up and marvel at the universe.”

The project was funded by a range of partners, including £50,000 from the Gillian Dickinson Trust.

The trust was set up to support small charities in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and County Durham in memory of Corbridge-born publisher Gillian Dickinson.

Gillian’s nephew and trustee of the group, Alexander Dickinson, explained the decision to give the grant to Kielder.

Alexander said: “What’s so great about up here is that it caters for everyone. I’ve been up here and I know it works, but there’s more to it than that. We’re about young people, we’re about arts, we’re about excellence – and you get all that here in spades.

“They say that this observatory is a national treasure, but I think it’s more than that; I think it has international importance.

“There are always people here from all over the world.”

The fully accessible site is particularly aimed at young people, and will act as the observatory’s home for educational and outreach work.

Alexander continued: “It’s aimed at younger people, but it’s not just about people who are keen on astronomy or maths.

“There’s so much you can do with stars, there are all different ways you can use the universe creatively, and I can’t wait to see what people create.”