News / Sandwick school secures funding to build observatory
THE COMMUNITY of Sandwick will soon be able to gaze at the stars after the local junior high school won £5,000 worth of materials to build an observatory.
The school was one of 37 prize winners in this year’s Jewson Building Better Communities programme.
Sandwick Junior High has in its possession a 12-inch Dall Kirkham telescope which was built in Lerwick by amateur astronomer Billy Kay in the 1960s.
Despite having it for over 17 years, there has not been a dedicated space at the school to allow it to be used properly.
Thanks to the funding boost, local builder Tommy Williamson will now erect a 12 square metre timber frame observatory so that pupils and the public can use the telescope.
Headmaster Stuart Clubb said: “Considering the number of entries nationally, to even have been nominated is fantastic.
“To win this £5,000 worth of materials means that a project we’ve been working on for a long time will actually happen, so we’re delighted.
“As a school we’ll reap the benefits as Shetland is a small community. With the observatory, we’re hoping to offer outside physics classes and also have people from the area who have a genuine interest in astronomy to use the new facility.”
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 630 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.