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Morayvia soars into 2016

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Moray’s newest visitor hotspot has marked the close of its first season – and organisers have revealed plans to boost its fleet of attractions in time for reopening.

After years of effort, the Morayvia Science and Technology Centre, outside Kinloss, unveiled its gallery of exhibits to guests in October.

The centre has now celebrated the end of a well-received opening season, and organisers have outlined their plans to expand the site when it reopens in March.

Pride of place at the base is a reclaimed Sea King search and rescue helicopter, which Morayvia members secured this summer after a mammoth fundraising effort.

The venue also boasts a Nimrod reconnaissance aircraft, and other items which highlight aviation engineering.

But group chairman Mark Mair aims to branch out in time for the centre’s next season, and has acquired a retired fire engine which served at airports in the Highlands and Islands.

Mr Mair said: “The centre has been a great success, everybody has been positive about it.

“Now we need to work on improving what we have, and building up more items which will interest the public.

“The fire engine is one of the big foam spreader machines you see at airports, and it really looks impressive.

“We just want to bring more people in, and getting bigger and better attractions seems the way to do that.”

This time last year Morayvia had only just launched the campaign that would see them acquire the famed Sea King copter.

Mr Mair reflected on what has been an “immense” 12 months for the group.

He said: “We set out to get a Sea King and we delivered that, which was a major achievement for us.

“Opening the centre was the next big move, and we now have everything in place to keep building it up.

“We are learning as we go, and are keen to offer some more interactive exhibits that will capture children’s imagination.

“Full credit goes to the volunteers who put this all together, they have done a huge amount of work.”

Though the centre is now closed, Morayvia members will continue fundraising for its future over the winter months.

Organisers have established a shop in Elgin’s St Giles Centre, from which they will be selling merchandise relating to the Sea King and the venue’s other attractions.