First Light Pavilion Wins Again
Posted 26 Apr, 2023

image Ant Holloway
We’re delighted to announce that our spectacular new First Light Pavilion and permanent exhibition gallery, which opened in June 2022, has continued to win awards since its launch.
Civic Trust Awards 2023
We were honoured to be awarded top honours at the prestigious Civic Trust Awards ceremony in London on 31st March, for the architecture of the building itself.
The Pavilion, which sits under a grass-covered dome, is oriented due south, with a ‘meridian line’ window set in its façade, which acts like an internal sundial inside the building entrance hall. The dome size is the same as the diameter of the dish of the iconic Lovell Telescope (76metres).
The judges said:
‘A wonderful project, ambitiously created and beautifully delivered. It manages to complement the mighty and instantly recognisable landmark of the Lovell Telescope and offer a scientific experience accessible to all.’

image Hufton and Crow
And the good news doesn’t stop there…
British Society for the History of Science
Inside the First Light Pavilion, our new permanent exhibition ‘The Story of Jodrell Bank’ was awarded the ‘Exhibiting Excellence’ Large Exhibition prize by the British Society for the History of Science.
This prize recognises excellence in public exhibitions that address topics in the history of science, history of technology or history of medicine.
The judges praised the way that the exhibition had worked with existing projects, such as the Tactile Universe, that provide accessible science communication. They said that the exhibition structure of short ‘chapters’ offered visitors a range of different ways to engage with the stories being told. In particular, they praised the integration of the panels of the original surface of the Lovell Telescope into the exhibition, and the way that the architecture of the building itself was also used to express the narrative.

image Andrew Brooks
More from Jodrell Bank
How curious...

Summer Solstice 2024: Alan Garner Day Speakers
This June, Jodrell Bank hosts an inspiring day of panels, lectures and workshops in celebration of revered local writer Alan Garner. Read more about each event here and book tickets today!

Jodrell Bank welcomes HRH The Princess Royal in celebration of UNESCO World Heritage status
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited us in January to mark the occasion of Jodrell Bank Observatory being awarded UNESCO World Heritage Status in 2019.

PREPARE FOR LAUNCH: Adventure awaits at Jodrell Bank this February Half Term!
As February half term approaches, prepare to embark on an extraordinary journey to Jodrell Bank, where science, discovery, and family fun collide in an out-of-this-world experience. This year, we are thrilled to introduce a captivating addition to our lineup – the brand new science show, "Curious Kids."

Visions of the Night Sky: New Exhibition at Jodrell Bank
From distant galaxies and nebulae to our very own corner of Cheshire, this exhibition will take you on a journey through space in stunning detail - all included in the price of entry!

Launching an out of this world summer at Jodrell
From show-stopping live music to fascinating talks and workshops, Jodrell Bank kicked off the summer with a sizzling Solstice weekend!

How does the Lovell Telescope work?
The Lovell Telescope collects radio waves - a kind of light which is invisible to us. But how does it all work?

Women Shaping Science
This month, we marked International Women’s Day by celebrating the careers, inspirations, and contributions of just some of the incredible women working across Jodrell Bank and the SKA Observatories.

Celebrating British Science Week
The 7-16 March marks British Science Week, and to celebrate the occasion, we were delighted to welcome White Rose Education to Jodrell Bank!

A different kind of radio wave: Jodrell Bank hosts Doves album party
Jodrell Bank is known for its cutting-edge science, but it’s also a ‘spiritual home’ for musicians, too! We were thrilled to host Doves and their fans for an exclusive Dome Show listening party for their new album, Constellations for the Lonely.

Director recognised as ‘Game changer’, with land-art installation in celebration of National Lottery’s 30th birthday.
The achievements of The University of Manchester and Jodrell Bank’s Director, Teresa Anderson has been celebrated through a giant piece of natural art in the grounds of Whitby Abbey.