TIME TO PRESERVE THE DARK SKIES OF DEDHAM VALE

This year an astronomer helpfully measured one of the 20.49; Stoke Tye: 20.60; Homey Bridge: 21.25. things we have long believed made the Dedham Vale special, its dark skies. His readings prove that the So the Vale is in the same league as areas that have already Dedham Vale is indeed unusual in the south of , successfully sought an international designation. If we it forms a dark corridor between the domes of light from want to do the same, Bob says we should start by Colchester and and the lit-up ports of Felixstowe purchasing a sky meter. We should measure the Stour and and Harwich. In its darkest places on a clear night, you Colne valleys and build a pattern of readings to define can see as many stars from the Vale as in as the South where the skies are the darkest. Several members have Downs national park which was recently awarded the volunteered to help in this endeavour but we would status of “dark sky reserve” by the International Dark-Sky welcome more. Association. Now the facts are established the Dedham Vale Society has a new responsibility to protect our Meanwhile, I have spoken to Martin Morgan-Taylor, an nocturnal heritage before the fingers of light from academic who is a board member of the International Dark- development blot our view of the stars. Sky Association. He explains that getting designated involves writing a management plan to promote We first realised we had something special good lighting, getting hundreds of letters when Bob Mizon from the British of support from individuals and Astronomical Association first political bodies and doing a came to gave a talk a couple review of lights in the area of years ago. Bob was (only 70 per cent have to be staying at the Crown in compliant). There is a lot Stoke by . I to do but he advises us asked him whether to just chip away. you could see many stars above the Areas that have Vale. In the lights been successful of the car park he already include was non- the South committal. He Downs, Galloway said that you Forest Park, the could see a few Brecon Beacons, hundred stars, not the Elan valley, bad for the south of the islands of Sark ) d r England. Then, o and Coll, Keilder in lf e much later, he went T Northumberland, n e out in to the meadow L Moffat, Snowdonia y b behind his room. He to and Exmoor national ho (p looked up to the zenith parks. There are kindred

and saw four times as many . spirits in Areas of sky rk stars and the Milky Way distinct da Outstanding Natural Beauty, in a in all its glory - and he got quite e moon too. One of these is Linda Nunn, excited. originally from Ipswich, now the director of the area of outstanding It took a couple of years and a new kidney, which Bob says natural beauty partnership panel. Cranborne Chase is has made him feel 30 years younger, to get him back to the applying for dark-sky “reserve” status – a designation that vale. He came on a clear night this February. What he is more difficult to get than the one for which the Dedham found with his Sky Meter – taking care not to point it Vale seems to qualify, a “dark sky place.” She says it will towards aircraft bound for Stansted – amounted to what take another 18 months to jump through the hoops. he described as a good, but not perfect, rural night sky. Technically speaking, that was a sky good enough to The great thing, says Linda, is that dark sky status is good qualify for Bronze Level International Dark-Sky place for the rural economy. It gives local businesses, pubs and status in the official jargon. To qualify for an international hotels a reason they can attract customers out of season. designation, night sky brightness must be routinely equal On Exmoor, B&Bs advertise astronomical breaks away on to or darker than a measurement of 20 magnitudes per autumn and winter evenings. Pubs organise barbecues square arc second. The South Downs national park has after their night sky viewing. Around Cranborne Chase as values in the low 20s. The measurements Bob took in the many as 50 people turn out. Dedham Vale were as follows: south of Shelley: 20.98; Withermarsh: 20.42; near Nayland on Stoke Rd: 20.51; Martin Morgan-Taylor says, surprisingly, that our Nayland, Bures Rd: 20.40; Arger Fen Nature reserve: proximity to London is our main selling point. For one of

5 the International Dark-Sky Association’s criteria is We have a lot to do. But the benefits should not be accessibility. The Vale already seems to fit some of the underestimated: we now know that dark sky status is one others: we have a distinct area; we have reason to protect of the most important ways of making sure the Dedham the night sky to protect the character of the area and for Vale stays special for all. ecological reasons; we want to encourage dark sky tourism; and we already have local authority support, through the Charles Clover Dedham Vale and Stour Valley Project. Chairman

Dedham at dusk.

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