Jodrell Bank continues to reach for the stars

Above: left to right, Katrina Michel, CEO of Marketing Cheshire, David Rutley, MP and Professor Teresa Anderson, Director of the Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre

Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre is set to receive £4 million from the Government as part of the Budget, following the successful campaigning of local MP, David Rutley, and the team at Jodrell Bank.

The funding will support Jodrell Bank to deliver its £20.5 million ‘First Light’ heritage gallery project, promoting the historically-significant scientific work undertaken by this world-leading Cheshire site. This will help visitors to learn more about Jodrell Bank’s pivotal role in the post-WWII development of the new science of radio astronomy, and helping to engage younger people with the sciences.

David has been campaigning in support of the First Light project for many months, alongside Professor Teresa Anderson, Director of the Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, and her team. Earlier this year, David met with the Chancellor, the Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP, to seek Treasury assistance for this iconic project, and he has made regular representations in support of the ‘First Light’ initiative since then.

The funding, which is subject to approval of a sustainable business case, is the culmination of an already exciting year for Jodrell Bank. Earlier this year, six of the structures on its site were awarded Listed Building status, and, more recently, the site was selected as the UK’s next candidate for nomination to UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Speaking after the announcement, David said, “I am delighted that the Chancellor has responded so positively to the request for funding for Jodrell Bank’s ‘First Light’ heritage gallery. This is a significant boost to the project and will make a huge difference in enabling this world-leading and iconic site to promote its history and inspire the next generation of scientists. I am very grateful to Professor Anderson and her colleagues for their outstanding hard work to get the project to this stage, and look forward to seeing this great initiative come to fruition.”