National Lottery Players Help Fund ‘First Light at Jodrell Bank’

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An ambitious project to redevelop The Discovery Centre at Jodrell Bank observatory is to receive £16.1 million in funding, with an estimated £12.1 million coming from the National Lottery. The government announced, alongside The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), that they would be providing the remaining £4 million.

Lottery Players Contribute To Jodrell Bank Redevelopment

Jodrell Bank, founded in 1945, is one of the leading sites in radio astronomy observatory, and the National Lottery funding is set to re-energise and redevelop the historic site south of Manchester city centre. The incredible support of National Lottery players will see the £12.1 million raised safeguard the heritage of the site for years to come, which was nominated by the DCMS (Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport) for UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) World Heritage Site status earlier this year.

The project, referred to as ‘First Light at Jodrell Bank’, is set to be completed over the next three years, with a stunning gallery building built during this timeframe, containing an exhibition and engagement space, auditorium, education hub and café.

Professor Teresa Anderson, Director of Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, said: ‘’We are thrilled that we have received this generous support thanks to National Lottery players and the DCMS. This funding will transform visitor engagement with the heritage of Jodrell Bank.”

The project will create 19 new jobs, and the site will eventually provide opportunities for people to become more involved in Jodrell Bank through education, group activities, volunteering and engagement. Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of the Heritage Lottery Fund, added: “The First Light project has been designed to nurture a new generation of scientists and astronomers and is only possible thanks to National Lottery funding.”

Why Have The National Lottery Donated £12.1 Million?

National Lottery players have played a key role in raising the funds for this radical Jodrell Bank transformation. Twenty-eight pence of every £1 spent on EuroMillions, Lotto, Lotto HotPicks and Thunderball is given to the National Lottery Good Causes Fund, adding up to around £30 million per week.

The DCMS decides where there this funding goes, allocating 40% to health, education, environment, and charitable causes, 20% to sport, 20% to arts and 20% to heritage. It is then the role of the National Lottery to distribute these allowances accordingly to various social and charitable organisations.

The Jodrell Bank project is just the latest in a long line of sites to receive National Lottery funding. Contributions have been made to many other projects including Veterans with Dogs and the London 2012 Olympics, and funds also went towards the production of The King’s Speech. More information can be found on the Lottery Good Causes page.

Choose Your Numbers Over the Bank Holiday Weekend

With lottery players across the UK currently gearing up for a three-day bank holiday, tonight’s EuroMillions jackpot is worth £50 million, whilst tomorrow’s UK Lotto draw is for £9.2 million. You can play online right now to be in with a chance of winning. Remember to let us know which National Lottery-funded projects you would like to see happen next.