THE RED TAPE will be formally cut this weekend for the official opening of one of the most ambitious community projects ever undertaken in Moray.
At the end of a highly successful first week of being opened to the public, the Morayvia Science and Technology Centre is to receive its official seal of approval on Saturday.
Following years of gathering the comprehensive collection of exhibits that tell the story of Moray’s rich aviation and technological achievements, the new centre at the former Abbeylands School in Kinloss is to be opened by one of its main supporters, the Lord Lieutenant of Moray Grenville Johnstone.
“This has been years in the making and is the result of massive efforts from so many volunteers who never lost their determination that it should happen,” Mark Mair, Morayvia’s chairman said last night.
He added: “They should all be really proud of what they have achieved and I hope and expect everyone in Moray can share that pride by coming along and seeing for themselves what has been achieved.”
Pride of place at the centre goes to the Nimrod and Sea King aircraft so familiar to Moray and which service the UK in both SAR and maritime defence roles. Morayvia’s Sea King and an adjoining replica of the SAR crew room from RAF Lossiemouth is a star attraction, as is the Nimrod aircraft which served for decades from the nearby Kinloss air base.
Mr Mair said: “The centre is there to honour the men and women who for decades risked their lives to save others on land and at sea.”
It is hoped that Saturday’s official opening ceremony will be attended by former 22 Squadron SAR unit as well as a number of men and women who served at both RAF bases in Moray.
Morayvia Science and Technology Centre is open from Saturday until Tuesday from 12noon until 4pm at North Road, Kinloss. For further details telephone 01309 691916 or visit www.morayvia.org.uk.