Teesside Astronomical Science Centre
Trustees Annual Report for the year 2023-2024
This report covers the period from 1 July 2023 to the end of our ninth financial year on 30 June 2024.
Teesside Astronomical Science Centre (TASC) was established in 2014 to act as an independent organisation to operate the Wynyard Planetarium and Observatory taking over management of the facility from Stockton Borough Council (SBC) who withdrew from running the Planetarium. We are a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered as Charity No 1156793.
Chairman's Report
During the summer shut in 2023, the controls for the planetarium audio-visual equipment, digital and analogue, were moved to a desk in the office and the equipment rack re-located in the office. To make room a bulky filing cabinet was moved out of the office. The Planetarium general lighting has been updated, replacing the failing low voltage rail mounted lights with up to date mains powered strip and LED lighting. There is a noticeable improvement in the lighting available in the auditorium - which should make meetings much easier. Adding dimming for these lights remains to be done.
A major (but long delayed) event is that the revised Lease was finally executed in February 2024. This Lease formally sets out that we may use areas defined around the Planetarium for astronomical observations, notably at night, but including the possibility of daytime solar observations. One point for the future is that the new Lease runs 7 years from December 2021 so will be up for renewal in 2028.
The Trustees have kept possible future development of the Planetarium in mind, but active development on this was deferred for consideration after finalisation of the new lease signed with Stockton Council.
Our regular Presentations have generally been well attended, but presentation formats have been reviewed to prevent them becoming stale (and less popular). The previously noted improvement of auditorium ventilation has been appreciated over the last year and further improvements are in hand. These involve adding a second fan to further improve the ventilation and to act as backup for keeping the dome inflated. SBC were approached to simplify getting permission to alter the building, however, after initial encouraging responses, they eventually they declined to continue to implement the installation. A new contractor has been identified and we hope the installation of the second fan will be completed this autumn. In addition repairs to the doors will be made to improve usability and security.
Further upgrades of equipment have been made including the provision of a new PC to better implement the ShiraPlayer format convertor software for full dome display, a 4K projector has been acquired, installed and is in operation and a second large format TV has been purchased and is in use.
After weather damage to the surface, SBC were requested to repair the overflow car park and this has been done to a limited extent.
The railway carriage disappeared suddenly some months ago. SBC have transferred it to a heritage railway for major refurbishment. It is not expected to return. The practical consequences for us are uncertain. Previously we had asked SBC whether it might be
usable e.g. for display or teaching. Following the carriage move, we are investigating with SBC if any of the rooms in the station house might be available.
Following the installation of the new Planetarium seating, the carriage was used to store the old seating. Disposal by sale or gift proved impractical and eventually, through Teesside contacts, the firm of C L Prosser removed the old seating (frames, backs and seats) without charge.
On the Observatory, the main door lock has been replaced as the original failed (and was assessed as unrepairable). Also the installation of an energy chain to improve the power supply to the dome operating motors is under consideration.
The Trustees have actively considered the conditions for membership of TASC and this has included the possible membership of younger (16+) astronomers and how we might make facilities of the Observatory and possibly the Planetarium more available to TASC members.
Of course the Trustees thanks go to the members and volunteers who directly support operation of the Planetarium and Observatory throughout the year.
Finance
At the start of year the balance was £18758 and at the end £18805. Our income for the year was £5448 and with Expenditure including on new equipment at £5401 we had a current surplus of £47. Overall our finances remain healthy.
At present we do not have a formal policy on reserves, but generally aim to retain a minimum of 3 months expenditure as a reserve. Throughout the report year, actual reserves substantially exceeded this minimum figure.
| List of Trustees who served throughout the year from | List of Trustees who served throughout the year from | 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Office | |
| John Gargett | ||
| Simon Gotch | Volunteer Coordinator | |
| Peter Hanna | Treasurer | |
| Jon Mathieson | Communications Officer and Membership Secretary | |
| Jonathan Roberts | Chairman | |
| Jürgen Schmoll | Secretary |
John Gargett and Jonathan Roberts were re-elected as Trustees at the 2024 AGM.
Approved by the Trustees on 28 April 2025 and signed on their behalf by the Chair of trustees Mr Jonathan Roberts.
J W Roberts 28 April 2025
1156793
Teesside Astronomical Science Centre (TASC)
Receipts and payments accounts
CC16a
gy For the period from Period start date To Period end date Jun-23 Jun-24 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted Endowment Restricted funds Total funds Last year funds funds to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ A1 Receipts Show Receipts 5,241 5,241 5,037 Special Interest Cadas room fee Member's Subs 135 135 120 Donations 72 72 210 Small Business Grant Sub total (Gross income for AR) [ 5,448 ] 5,448 5,367 A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). Sub total Total receipts ~~“a~~ A3 Payments Insurance for Trustees and Volunteers 296 296 294 Travel Expenses for Volunteers 760 760 712 Building Insurance & Utilities 491 491 492 Equipment (Projectors PC Software) 3,543 3,543 2,985 Misc. Building Maintenance 251 251 965 Covid compatible seats 2,752 Bank Charges 60 60 Sub total [ 5,401 ] 5,401 8,200 ~~=~~ A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) Sub total ~~+~~ Total payments ~~See~~ 5,401 5,401 8,200 Net of receipts/(payments) 47 47 - 2,833 A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end 18,758 18,758 21,591 Cash funds this year end ~~SSS~~ 18,805 ~~SS~~ 18,805 ~~SS E=~~ 18,758