Kelling Heath shines bright after reducing light pollution

9/27/2019

Kelling Heath has once again been recognised for the work it does to keep its skies dark for stargazers.

Already considered to be one of the UK’s top stargazing spots – Kelling Heath has picked up a Good Lighting Award from the British Astronomical Association’s Commission for Dark Skies.

The latest accolade recognises the park’s work over the last 12 months to achieve an 80% reduction in light pollution at its site in Weybourne, near Holt.

Measures it has taken following advice from Keith Venables - a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society - include surveying the park to understand where light pollution could be reduced, fitting energy-efficient bulbs to all external lighting and installing glare reducing filters to all fittings.

The award also recognises the lengths the park goes to in informing and educating guests and holiday home owners how they can support its commitment to dark skies.

Receiving the award from the Commission’s National Coordinator, Bob Mizon, MBE, John Cumming, Estates and Quality Assurance Manager at Kelling Heath Holiday Park, said: “As a park that prides itself on its sustainable approach, we believe in doing everything we can protect the natural environment around us, and that includes our wonderous night skies.

“We are honoured to receive the award and look forward to being a destination that stargazers continue to enjoy for many years to come.”

The award was presented to coincide with the Autumn Equinox Sky Camp - an annual gathering of hundreds of astronomy enthusiasts from all over the UK, which has been held at the park for the last 17 years.

It comes two years after Kelling was awarded two-star Dark Sky Discovery Site status - meaning the Seven Stars of the Orion constellation and the Milky Way are visible to the naked eye on a clear night.

Pictured:
Top left to right John Cumming and Owen Brazell
Bottom left to right Keith Venables and Andrew Robertson