KINROSS-based Aero Space Scientific Educational Trust (ASSET) and West Lothian-based Cosmos Planetarium are creating a stellar partnership, as they merge company resources this week.
Cosmos Planetarium has merged with Aero Space Kinross, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ASSET, in the run up to the creation of the uniquely-themed aviation, astronomy, and space centre in Kinross.
The West Lothian duo behind Cosmos Planetarium -Steven Gray and James Green – have been running cosmic outreach programmes across Scotland and the north of England for several years, bringing their expert astronomy skills to primary and secondary schools as well as numerous events and festivals around the UK.
Recognising the great business fit between the two organisations, in relation to the ASK business model, Cosmos Planetarium presents an ideal solution to supporting the planetarium element of the project as well as continuing to build continued and strong public engagement and awareness through their astronomy outreach programme.
Following the recent signing of a Letter of Intent, Alisdair Stewart, chair of ASSET, said: “We are enjoying a very positive start to 2018, for our ASK project development and thrilled to be merging Cosmos Planetarium into Aero Space Kinross, as this both recognise the immense skillset Steven Gray and James Green will bring to the astronomy element of our ambitions, but also shows real business confidence as we move into our crucial capital funding stage.
“Building awareness of ASK is vital in the coming months, and the dynamic outreach programme run by Cosmos Planetarium represents an even greater opportunity to tell our story throughout the UK to help realise our ambitions.
“It also underpins our project successes from last year, when we bought a Eurofox kit plane for our Build-A-Plane project with Kinross High School (partially funded by LEADER) – which is underway right now. We have also employed an expert fundraiser Donna Hegarty, a Financial Administrator Helen Gilmour and Zoe Garvie – ASK’s new science educator, who are now all based out of our ASK offices.”
With the merger completed, Cosmos Planetarium will, henceforth, trade through Aero Space Kinross Steven Gray and James Green will be welcomed as directors of ASK and trustees of ASSET.
Commenting on the merger, managing partner Steven Gray said: “This is a very exciting move for us as we see this as a significant and dynamic development that melds our two businesses together and can bring great results as the Aero Space Kinross project grows.
“Following my Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Travelling Fellowship, ‘Capture an Eclipse in 360°’, I have developed significant contacts during my two-month visit to the USA, partnering with mobile and fixed dome organisations in the run up to the 2017 eclipse and I see this experience as an additional asset to help Cosmos and Aero Space Kinross move forward together in attracting international funders.
“We have been actively running our bespoke shows in the planetarium for nearly four years now, annually engaging with over 10,000 people of all ages and this is a distinct opportunity to continue to raise awareness of the Aero Space Kinross project.
“With the merger announcement now in place, this indicates some major steps towards the dynamic ambition of building the first community-owned space and aviation tourism destination in Scotland.”
Ends
For further project and community share offer information, please contact: Alisdair Stewart: alisdair@aerospacekinross.com
For further press information, images and interviews, please contact Fiona Stewart: Fiona@aerospacekinross.com Mob: 07940560453
For more information on how to support and be a part of this unique experience go to: www.aerospacekinross.com Website: http://www.aerospacekinross.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aerospacekinross
Notes to editors:
About ASSET and Aero Space Kinross
ASSET is a Community Benefit Society community-led, controlled, and operated for the benefit of Kinross-shire and the community it serves. Aero Space Kinross is a tremendous opportunity for the residents of Kinross-shire and beyond that will bring huge economic, educational and tourism benefits to the area, as well as providing locals, Scots, and visitors alike with a unique flight-themed science and space centre.
Aero Space Kinross is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Community Benefit Society, Aero Space Scientific Educational Trust. Scottish Charity No. SC045931
Biographies – Cosmos Planetarium
Prior to the merger with ASK, Cosmos Planetarium was owned by James Green, BSc (Hons), MInstP, FRAS and colleague, Steven Gray, FRAS.
James Green is an experienced physicist, a member of the Institute of Physics, an elected Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and has previously worked in the UK nuclear and electronics sector for over 30 years. He has a keen interest in astronomy and has been delivering astronomy outreach to primary and secondary schools for many years.
His colleague, Steven Gray, is an elected Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and Secretary of the British Association of Planetaria. He has had a lifelong fascination with the night sky, has a wide practical knowledge of astronomical equipment, is an experienced observer and is an astrophotographer. He also has many years of experience doing astronomy outreach at all levels.
Cosmos Planetarium Is a state of the art, fully digital 360° degree immersive cinematic theatre experience. The 6-metre mobile planetarium can accommodate up to 40 children or 25 adults. It not only gives you a wonderful view of the night sky and space, it actually takes you there! We can zoom in on a planet to see surface detail or orbit its moons, see nebula and star clusters or travel to galaxies millions of light years away. Check out www.cosmosplanetarium.co.uk, Facebook @cosmosplanetarium, Twitter @cosmosplntarium
LEADER Funding
About the Rural Perth and Kinross LEADER Fund
The new LEADER, (‘Liaison Entre Actions de Développement de l’Économie Rurale’), Rural Development programme for Perth and Kinross was launched on Thursday 14 January 2016.
Approximately £3.8 million of EU and Scottish Government SRDP (Scottish Rural Development Programme) funding is being invested in the local area between 2014 and 2020, bringing a boost to communities and the rural economy. The funding will be directed towards the priorities identified in the Rural Perth and Kinross LEADER Programme Development Strategy and Business Plan, with the aim of helping to create a long-term legacy of vibrant, healthy and inclusive rural communities. The priorities include Community Capacity Building, Rural Broadband, Youth Initiatives, Farm Diversification, Rural Enterprise and there are Open Challenge and Co-operation Projects Funds also.
Funding is allocated by the Rural Perth and Kinross Local Action Group, (LAG). This independent body consists of representatives from local businesses and public sector and third sector organisations.
Anyone can apply: www.PKLeader.org, Facebook @PerthKinrossLEADERFunding, Twitter @P_KLeader #PKLeader
Image: left to right – Alisdair Stewart, chair of ASSET alongside James Green and Steven Gray of Cosmos Planetarium.
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