Kielder Autumn 2007

[Dixie]

5th KIELDER FOREST STAR CAMP

Northumberland

The 2007 Kielder Forest Star Camp will be staged over five nights from 10 to 14 October 2007 in the spectacular Border countryside –the darkest and most tranquil area of England according to two CPRE studies!

A major £200,000 observatory project is underway on a hill overlooking Kielder village. Invitations to tender for the work have now gone out. To help run and exploit this tremendous facility, a new group has been formed, provisionally called the Kielder Observatory Astronomical Society - www.kielderobservatory.org The membership roll is growing and future Star Camps will now be organised by this group, with support from the Forestry Commission and Sunderland Astronomical Society. It will mean that money raised by the event will be used to develop and maintain the observatory.

Star Camp will once again be based on the Kielder campsite, although we will try and arrange viewing opportunities at the observatory site (elevation 1,200 feet). Pitch fees remain £12 per night for an electric hook-up and £10 without (per pitch). There’s also a minimum two night stay and fees must be paid up front. Bookings are now being taken.

The main day will be on Saturday 13 October at 18th century Kielder Castle. We will have top speakers and a full line-up of the nation’s leading astronomy vendors. Activities on the main day will be free of charge. Other free talks and workshops will be arranged after the success of those staged last year.

Full details can be found at www.richarddarn.demon.co.uk/starcamp. If you require any further information, please contact me at starcamp2007@richarddarn.demon.co.uk, or call 01226 246351.

We hope to see you under Kielder’s dark sky!

Richard Darn