2025-06-30-accounts

Chairman’s report to 2025 AGM on 23 October 2025

Over the past year, we have continued with our regular Presentations which have generally been well attended. Other Presentations have been made for various private groups

Other activities and events during the year include:

In January we assisted Teesmouth National Nature Reserve with a stargazing evening at Hartlepool.

Also, in January we received a donation of £3000 from the Barratt Foundation.

The Planetarium doors, and frames have been repaired and the door hinges replaced to make them more secure and easier to use.

The formal Licence to CaDAS was agreed and signed and is in force

School Education Sessions at the Planetarium were proposed by Sophie Carrol, the proprietor of Cosmic Wonders. Agreements dealing with this are ready to be signed (delay because of Sophie’ illness) and the intent is to have the first sessions before the end of this school term. For the immediate future these sessions will be in the Planetarium and it is expected that they will involve “flat screen” and full dome video material with support from Volunteers.

The possible future use of the Station House has been the subject of prelminary investigations, including inspection of the available ground floor rooms in the Station House, but any use of these will require agreement with Stockton Borough Council (SBC )and so far this has not been discussed with them.

The Trustees have considered the draft text of a Members and Volunteers Handbook

The installation of low level lighting around the edge of the auditorium step was proposed and is in hand though not yet completed. Also it is proposed to upgrade the wall mounted downlighting.

The possible linking of the Planetarium and Observatory to the internet has been lloked at, but we wait for further contact with SBC to try to progress this. Also SBC have been pursued following the unannounced termination of the planetarium telephone landline.

Some evidence suggesting that vermin (mice) have been at or inside the Planetarium, with possible access through open ducts e.g. from the former railway carriage site.

New outdoor lumieres with LED bulkhead lights have been installed.

One of the televisions failed beyond repair, and a replacement has been obtained.

In early Summer, while clearing the gutters it was noted that the Planetarium roof is showing signs of damage, including deterioration in the specialised reinforced polymer outer skin and softness in some supporting structures. This problem was reported to SBC. The initial SBC response was that it is TASC’s problem. However, we have fund that SBC hold a 20 year warranty (still in time) and referred them to this for potential action. A response is awaited.

SBC have reworked many of the pathways in the Woodland Park to improve the surfaced and provide wheelchair access to the level of the old railway. This caused difficulties in that the contractors removed the telescope mount outside the planetarium and in excavating the path to the East of the Planetarium severed the drain for the Planetarium sink. This was resolved with the drain being replaced, but the telescope mount has not yet been replaced though initial discussions with SBC about a better location have taken place, possibly to a site near the CCTV tower.

Following the change to the paths, we have noted cars using this footpath (!) and that, particularly electric, motorbikes and scooters are using them. SBC were notified and they advise that the problem should be mitigated by new pathside fencing. We may need to make more use of traffic cones to discourage such improper use.

My report last year recorded SBC’s plan to instal electric parking points near the Planetarium. As noted we responded pointing out disadvantages including likely interference or prevention of the use of the area to the south of the Planetarium for astronomical observation. We have very recently heard from SBC that installation will begin on 10 November. This may result in our volunteers exercising suitable diplomacy to keep the area near the Planetarium safe before, during and after presentations.

As in past years the Trustees thanks go to the members and volunteers who directly support operation of the Planetarium and Observatory throughout the year.

J W Roberts, Chairman TASC

October 2025

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Teesside Astronomical Science Centre (TASC)

Receipts and payments accounts

Period start date Period end date For the period from To Jun-24 Jun-25

CC16a

Section A Receipts and payments

A1 Receipts	Unrestricted funds to the nearest £	Unrestricted funds to the nearest £	Restricted funds to the nearest £	Restricted funds to the nearest £	Endowment funds to the nearest £	Endowment funds to the nearest £	Total funds to the nearest £	Total funds to the nearest £	Last year to the nearest £
Show Receipts	5,147								5,241
Cadas room fee	600
Member's Subs	159								135
Donations	3,098								72
intresst	33
Sub total(Gross income for AR)	9,037								5,448
A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table).
Sub total
Total receipts A3 Payments
	9,037								5,448
	326 522 491 1,202 714 55
Insurance for Trustees and Volunteers	326								296
Travel Expenses for Volunteers	522								760
BuildingInsurance & Utilities	491								491
Equipment (Projectors PC Software)	1,202								3,543
Misc. Building Maintenance	714								251
Covid compatible seats									2,752
Bank Charges	55								60
**Sub total **
	3,310								5,401
A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table)
Sub total
Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end
	3,310								5,401
	5,727 18,805
	5,727								47
	18,805								18,758
	24,532								18,805