A Celestial Comeback: Cornwall’s Observatory Restores Second Dome with Cornish Lithium Grant

A long-running project to restore the Observatory for Cornwall (OfC) in Chacewater has taken a major leap forward, thanks to funding from the Cornish Lithium Community Fund. With the observatory’s second dome reinstated, local groups and schools now have even greater access to practical astronomy, allowing them to explore the night skies over Cornwall.

A Second Dome Restored

The observatory, a not-for-profit facility established in 1999, has undergone years of renovation work to improve its educational spaces and community amenities. The first attempt to restore the site in the early 2000s was halted due to vandalism, but a renewed effort began in 2019.

Following the successful restoration of the first dome, the team turned its attention to the second. Rob Knill, a leading member of the restoration team, described the complex process:

“Firstly, we had to dismantle the dome to remove the rusting brackets and rotational ring. Then, we had to seek the skills of local contractors to fabricate new parts before assembling the component pieces back together again. It sounds easy, but we experienced many technical challenges that required every ounce of our collective ingenuity to resolve. With our hardworking team of volunteers that drew together grandfathers and grandsons, councillors and carpenters, astronomers and accountants, there was also a lot of physical labour involved.”

The dome now rotates smoothly, with only the final rendering, sealing, and the fitting of a polarised scope left to complete. Rob expressed his pride in the achievement, saying:

“We are so proud to have achieved our aim of providing a second fully operational dome from which to observe the breathtaking beauty of our night skies and look forward to welcoming even more community groups to learn about the astral art of astronomy. We would like to thank everyone who has helped us along the way and Cornish Lithium for its community-spirited generosity.”

Photo: Inside Dome 2 at the Observatory for Cornwall – Image Credit Cornish Lithium

Cornish Lithium’s Community Investment

The funding came from the Cornish Lithium Community Fund, which provides grants of between £250 and £2,500 to local clubs, charities, and activity groups. The fund supports projects that enhance education, improve community facilities, promote health and wellbeing, or celebrate Cornwall’s industrial heritage.

Lucy Crane, ESG & Sustainability Manager at Cornish Lithium, explained why the observatory’s application was successful:

“The inspiring Observatory for Cornwall project was successful in its application to our Community Fund because it matched every single one of our eligibility criteria. The observatory provides schools and local activity groups with invaluable opportunities to look up and learn about the awe-inspiring world of astronomy as well as a thriving community hub for fostering new friendships and tackling social isolation in a historic mining district that is close to one of our lithium in geothermal waters exploration sites. It has been fascinating to watch this project unfold and we wish the Observatory every success for the future.”

The Cornish Lithium Community Fund is administered by the Cornwall Community Foundation, with a panel meeting twice a year to select projects for funding.

How to Apply for Future Grants

Local groups hoping to secure funding can apply for the next round, which opens on Thursday 27th March 2025, with applications closing at 9am on Thursday 15th May 2025.

For more details on the funding and application process, visit the Cornwall Community Foundation website.

To learn more about Cornish Lithium, visit www.cornishlithium.com.

For enquiries about the Observatory for Cornwall, contact project secretary Steve Clovelly via steveclovelly@gmail.com.

Photo: The Observatory Team by Dome 2 – Image Credit Cornish Lithium