Krioma.net

This was presented last night. All I can say is yippee!!!! Maybe it should be a more dignified response but no, I think yippee does the trick. Good for Birmingham. This title is given by the Royal Astronomical Society and the press release (http://www.ras.org.uk/html/press/pn0529ras.html) can be seen below:

Birmingham to be the UK's "City of Space 2005"

Birmingham is to be awarded the title of "UK City of Space 2005" by the UK's space and astronomy community. The title is being awarded in recognition of the city's role in hosting two major space events and its initiative in organising other space themed activities this year. The "City of Space" title is being conferred by the Royal Astronomical Society and the British National Space Centre Partnership, a group of government departments and research councils that coordinates UK civil space activity. This is the first time that such a title has been awarded. The President of the Royal Astronomical Society, Professor Kathy Whaler, will formally bestow the title and present Councillor Alden, Cabinet Member for Leisure Sport and Culture at Birmingham City Council, with a certificate during the opening reception for the 2005 RAS National Astronomy Meeting at the University of Birmingham. The presentation will take place at 7:45pm at the Barber Institute on Monday 4th April. Birmingham will be visited by 400 of the UK's leading astronomers and space scientists from 4-8th April, when the University of Birmingham hosts the 2005 RAS National Astronomy Meeting. This is one of the most important regular gatherings of astronomers in the UK. This year's event has been organised by the University of Birmingham's Physics and Astronomy department, which has significant research interest in astrophysics and space. Later this summer, Birmingham's Thinktank Museum of Science and Discovery will be hosting the British Festival of Space from 30th June-3rd July. The British Festival of Space is a showcase for the UK's space programme and offers events for schools and for members of the public, including hands-on activities and talks about the latest news in space exploration. In addition, Birmingham City Council has chosen to organise space themed events during 2005, including its "Discovery Day" on 21st August when space-themed activities for families will be organised throughout the city centre.