Could Kington become a dark sky area? Talks are ongoing

Enquiries will be made about creating a dark sky project in the Kington area.

A local environment campaigner contacted Kington Town Council recently telling them that he is helping with a Dark Sky project and an application for an International Dark Sky area in the south west of Herefordshire

Following a career with Siemens, culminating as a director for the Asia Pacific region with responsibilities for 32 countries, Gordon Coppock decided to focus his work on climate change issues and in particular those related to energy use.

Gordon has a significant experience of working in the renewable energy sector both in the Marches and across the UK. 

He is vice chair of Herefordshire Green Networks and in 2019 created the Zero Carbon Herefordshire project. He has been chair until recently of his local town’s award-nominated environmental group Kington Local Environmental and Energy Network, and has worked with Marches Energy Agency to support the Keep Herefordshire Warm project.

In his letter he said the project is supported by the local parish council and although it is a long term project he is hopeful it will go ahead.

Mr Coppock said: “Given other support I might be able to work with a group in Kington to do the same as Presteigne and Norton have done.

“My overall goal would be to have all the parishes on the western side of Herefordshire included in a Dark Sky Zone

“I see in Presteigne now there is real shift in dark sky tourism as well as of course the wildlife benefits.”

Councillor Elizabeth Banks said: “I am personally very keen on dark skies but I think we should continue thinking about this further.”

Councillor Bob Widdowson said he would contact Mr Coppock and find out more about the project.