The Earth Centre, Doncaster was ... It was actually located at Grid reference SK508997 in Conisbrough about 8 km southwest of Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The British national grid reference system is a system of geographic grid references commonly used in Great Britain, different from using latitude or longitude. ... Conisbrough (frequently misspelled Conisborough) is a small town located roughly midway between Doncaster and Rotherham in South Yorkshire, England. ... Map sources for Doncaster at grid reference SE5702 Doncaster is a town in South Yorkshire, (and in the former West Riding of Yorkshire), England. ... South Yorkshire is a metropolitan county in England. ...

Background

Until the 1850's, the Don Valley was idyllic, little touched by industrialisation. // Events and Trends Technology Production of steel revolutionised by invention of the Bessemer process Benjamin Silliman fractionates petroleum by distillation for the first time First transatlantic telegraph cable laid First safety elevator installed by Elisha Otis Science Charles Darwin publishes The Origin of Species, putting forward the theory of evolution... The River Don is a river in South Yorkshire, England. ...

In 1819 Sir Walter Scott visited Conisbrough Castle and described for posterity that part of the valley which now cradles Earth Centre. "There are few more beautiful or striking scenes in England than are presented by the vicinity of this ancient Saxon fortress. The soft and gentle River Don sweeps through an amphitheatre in which cultivation is richly blended with vegetation." Portrait of Sir Walter Scott, by Sir Edwin Henry Landseer Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet (14 August 1771–21 September 1832) was a prolific Scottish historical novelist and poet popular throughout Europe during his time. ...

Within 50 years, the Industrial Revolution destroyed this rural idyll. Denaby Main coal pit was opened in 1868 followed by Cadeby Colliery in 1893.

For the next 100 years, the mines provided coal for the country and a livelihood for the people of Conisbrough & Denaby Main. But the land and the people were to suffer as a consequence.

Both coal and livelihood were taken away in 1968 and 1986 when the pits closed, and what was left behind was a legacy of despair and high (33%) unemployment among the local population of Conisbrough, Denaby and Mexborough. There were also 2 huge spoil heaps where fields and an ancient fish farm had been.

In 1990 a change took place when Jonathan Smales decided that the derelict 400 acre site left behind by the pits was ideal for an Earth Centre. Jonathan was working on an idea for a museum for the millennium conceived by John Letts, Life President of the Museum of the Year Award. A suitable site had not been found elsewhere in the country, and so South Yorkshire was chosen.

"Following Earth Centre progress was a roller coaster ride of false starts, wild hopes and dashed plans." The Guardian

In 1995 the Millennium Commission made an award to Earth Centre, which became one of its Landmark Millennium projects. From 1996 work progressed on the remediation of the land and the design and construction of the many buildings and exhibitions. Phase 1 was only just completed in time for the gala opening, after several changes of layout, design details and false starts.

Phase 1

When Earth Centre opened, it consisted of the Planet Earth Galleries, (1, 2 and 3),Cafe and boardroom, Nature Works Building, Living Machine plus the offices housed in an old portacabin. After Phase 1 had been opened for 1 year, the Earth Centre was closed due to poor visitor numbers, and work began on Phase 2.

The idea was that if not enough people visited in its opening year, spend a lot more money on the development. Thus it was that the Welcome building, housing the shop, and the Conference Centre were built. To cater for residential school visits, a block was built which followed the lines of a Little Chef Travel Lodge. There was also an activity and Outdoor pursuits area.

Phase 2

Thus it was that Earth Centre re-opened in May 2001.

Suzy-Brain England was brought in to turn the venture around and make the visitor attraction viable. More attractions were built as money from grants and other sources became available. A pirate ship was built, a crazy golf course and indoor 'Amazon Adventure' play area.

Education visits continued and more customers were initially attracted to the improved facilities. However, by 2003 it was obvious that the target visitor numbers were not being met, and by 2004, as increasing numbers of staff were leaving, it was evident that the centre was unviable. In September 2004 the attraction closed to the public, and only pre-booked school parties were allowed. By the end of October, the Earth Centre, monument to Sustainability, was un-sustainable and was put in the hands of administrators.

External links

• Town Field Primary School, Doncaster's page about the Centre with photos
• Charity Commission report