Pictures have given a first glimpse into the new heritage attraction set to open at Jodrell Bank later this week. The highly anticipated First Light Pavillion, forming as part of the £21.5m First Light Project which is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, will give the public the chance to discover the history behind the Jodrell Bank story.
The new visitor centre is within a grass-covered dome, and is said to 'firmly establish the Jodrell Bank site', part of The University of Manchester, as a major UK cultural destination. The centre is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a globally significant scientific research facility.
The museum and gallery opens to the public later this week, on June 4, with the official opening event on 21 June. Pictures have now for the first time shown the site in all its glory ahead of its grand opening.
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Inside, visitors will be able to discover the history behind the Jodrell Bank story, established in 1945 by the physicist and astronomer Bernard Lovell, as well as using hands-on control panels and taking in planetarium shows in a purpose-built auditorium, which features a vast curved screen and nine projectors.
The state-of-the-art Space Dome will offer every visitor an immersive audio-visual experience with a specially commissioned film about the history of Jodrell Bank, narrated by Professor Brian Cox.
And the entrance to the centre is also placed on the meridian line, echoing ancient sites like Stonehenge and Newgrange in Ireland, with a window carved into the cement that will see the building act like a huge sundial. There will also be a host of permanent exhibitions, boasting archive materials including diaries, letters, audio and video exhibits and photographs.
Eilish McGuinness, CEO of The National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “Jodrell Bank is truly a unique heritage site, of national and international importance. The National Lottery Heritage Fund awarded £12.5 million so that the site’s powerful human stories of curiosity, exploration and discovery could be shared with the public. The stunning new building will have a fantastic impact, delighting and inspiring every visitor.”
As Macclesfield MP David Rutley added: “The opening of the First Light Pavilion will be a remarkable moment not just for Cheshire and the North West but for the whole of the UK. Visitors from across the nation will be able to come here and celebrate the pioneering spirit of endeavour that this much-loved site has come to represent.”
Visitors will be able to engage with the site’s rich heritage in a brand new permanent exhibition, created by designer Casson Mann. The Story of Jodrell Bank is set to bring to life the site's history, dating back to 1945 and will explore the Universe using radio waves instead of visible light.
Diana Hampson, Director of Estates and Facilities at The University of Manchester added:“This is a truly visionary build and a wealth of brilliant people have come together to bring it to life. The ambitious design has been expertly realised by the construction team at Kier andwe couldn’t be more proud. We can’t wait to see it open to the public.”
