New Observatory Appeal – Early November Update

We are nearly over the finishing line. After an extremely successful appeal we have almost secured enough to complete the building work. We now need just £45,000 to be able to buy enough new furniture to complete the furnishing phase and renew the generators. We are still on course to open in spring 2010.

Thank you to everyone who has already donated and we hope to see you in the new Observatory.

New Observatory Appeal – April Update

We now have £3.8M of the total £4M required and so are asking for one last push to raise the remaining £200,000 to complete our funding package.



The final drawings are with the SIC Planning Department and we are expecting approval and to be issued a building warrant very soon. The picture shows one of the 3D drawing submitted to planning department – a functional, more spacious building. The building will be put together as units in Orkney and shipped across on a barge. The external cladding will be Siberian Larch which can withstand the Fair Isle winter weather and also does not require regular treatment.

A meeting of FIBOT Directors and contractors (click for link) Synergie Scotland/AH Wilson is to take place mid-month to go over the detailed plans once more. Another meeting in Orkney to look at building materials and to sign contracts has been arranged for early May.

NTS have given us permission to move the Shaw family into Burkle and the Assistant Wardens into the Chalet. We have permission also to use the Puffinn for researchers, out with work camp times and a few other bookings. NTS have also allowed us the ground floor of the South Lighthouse for storage.

We are now frantically packing, whilst also trying to continue with work. Hollie’s parents have come up to help and many islanders have also offered assistance – all very much appreciated.

So, better get back to it……

The appeal has so far raised nearly £100,000 but we are now relying on you and other charitable trusts for the remaining £200,000. Please keep donating and fund-raising.

Thank you

Deryk Shaw

New Observatory Appeal – December 08 Update

Its been almost four months since the official launch of the appeal for the New Observatory and I am pleased to report that things are progressing well….
 
The final touches to the layout and design are currently being applied and we should have something to show people on the website very soon.
As you know, the project will cost a total of £4M. We now hope to be able to obtain the vast majority through public grant bodies, which means we are now aiming to raise just £300,000 ourselves! This is of course still a large sum for such a small organisation but we are well on the way to achieving our target. Letters to all our membership has resulted in a steady stream of cheques arriving on Fair Isle through the post and also a number of on-line donations through our website. We are extremely grateful for every penny! Thankyou to everyone who has donated so far - whether small, large or very large amounts of money - especially considering the current financial climate!
 
Additionally, here are just a few of the many things people have been doing to raise funds for the New Observatory Appeal…….
 
v  The initial launch on Fair Isle and a whip-round in the FIBO bar resulted in £611.70 – a great start!
v  A Fair Isle Community raffle at the Hall raised a further £250
v  Dave Wheeler on Fair Isle donated all the takings from his slideshows and weather station talks this year to the fund, amounting to £120
v  A film-night on Fair Isle raised £88.70
v  The Fair Isle nurse, Elena-Mera Long sold knitted scarves and purses at a sale on Fair Isle for a total of £31.20
v  A talk by Roger Riddington to the Shetland Bird Club raised £38.70
v  Rebecca Nason donated all the sales from her photos at the Obs this year and also gave a talk to the Cambridge Bird Club amounting to £180, so far.
v  The Northumberland Bird Club donated £50
v  Tyneside birders sponsored Alan Curry to do the Great North Run to the tune of £250
v  Tony & Beth Gerrard nominated us to receive funds from Delting Community Council’s Da Voar Reddup Scheme equalling £30
v  Mrs Perry Barnes donated all the copies of her late husband’s book ‘An Unforgettable Challenge’ by Gordon Barnes to the Observatory resulting in sales amounting to £190 so far.
v  A talk by Roy Dennis to the East Sutherland Bird Group raised £300
v  A whip round of The Angus & Dundee Bird Club by Bob McCurley raised £300
v  An all-day event hosted by Aberdeenshire Birders including a sponsored bird-race, auction, raffle, talks and quiz raised a magnificent £1200! Sincere thanks must also be given to all those who donated some wonderful prizes towards this event
 
Well done to you all! This list is not extensive and many of the amounts are quite small but together they make a significant contribution. If you would like me to add your name or an event you are aware of then please do let me know.
 
The total received so far from donations and fund-raising events is nearly £58,000, which means we are almost a fifth of the way towards our immediate target. However, there is still some way to go so please do keep donating and spread the word. If every Bird Club in the country made a donation, or held a fund-raising event then we would easily reach our target. Why not make it one of your New Year Resolutions to raise some money towards the New FIBO? You could hold a Car Boot Sale in January of all those unwanted Christmas presents? Or have a sponsored diet after the excesses of Christmas?
 
Whatever you do, every donation (no matter how small) is gratefully received and will be acknowledged. Remember that all donors of £250 and above will also have their name on a public display in the New Observatory.
 
Have a great Christmas!
 
Deryk Shaw
FIBO Warden