Volunteers take on challenge at Stoke on Trent observatory

Volunteers have taken on the mammoth task of restoring an old observatory to its former glory. 

Newchapel Observatory in Stoke-on-Trent was considered to be revolutionary when it was built in the 1960s by four amateur astronomers. It had an observatory and planetarium and featured custom-built domes, specialised solar-observation telescopes, and a natural science education centre.

However, it fell into disrepair when one of the founders died in 2010 and now the Friends of Newchapel Observatory are hoping to reopen it.

The group is planning to build a new dome and telescope while carrying out repairs and building a new floor.

Michael Pace, who founded the centre along with his brother Tony, built the centre as he wanted to share his passion for astronomy with the local community. He died in 2010.

Miles Palmer, director of the group of friends, said the original astronomers "used scrap material and their ingenuity and they built the most amazing telescope”.

Anyone wishing to volunteer on a Thursday at the observatory should email: volunteering@supportstaffordshire.org.uk