@Bristol Imax and Wildwalk to shut

I would be interested in any comments about the future of @Bristol and all its attractions.

In Bristol Evening Post 7th February Bristol North West MP Doug Naysmith is quoted as saying "ministers had previously ignored his warnings that science centres require direct funding" and he wrote to ask ministers "why museums receive funding but science centres do not".

I have been to both @Bristol and the London Science Museum and both to very good work in engaging people of all ages in science and engineering via interactive learning. I don't see there's any clear distinction between a museum and a science centre. Both need to preserve past knowledge and educate people to be involved in future developments. I think all such places should have guaranteed funding each year to allow them to continue, this is essential if this country wants to remain a world player in science and technology. Such investment would be repayed by an enthusiastic new batch of scientists and engineers inspired by their experiences at science centres.

Our government talks about tackling the shortage of people in this country interested in science and technology, and the need for schools, colleges, and universities to promote enthusiasm in their students. The attractions such as @Bristol that are an important resource for education must therefore be properly financed. It isn't sufficient to expect the market to provide such attractions because left to itself the market provides a lot of entertainment facilities that have little or no educational content.

I would be glad of any feedback, comments and opinions on this topic, or any further information and sites that I can add as links.

Links

Save Wildwalk - http://savewildwalk.org.uk/

Save @t Bristol - http://bristol.epetitions.net/

IMAX AND WILDWALK TO SHUT - http://www.thisisbristol.com/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=144936&command=displayContent&sourceNode=144919&contentPK=16572964&moduleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch -
This is Bristol in association with the Evening Post 6th February 2007.

MPS UNITED IN AIM TO HELP SAVE CENTRE - http://www.thisisbristol.com/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=144936&command=displayContent&sourceNode=144919&contentPK=16577367&moduleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch -
This is Bristol in association with the Evening Post 7th February 2007.

WILD, FUTURE IDEAS - http://www.thisisbristol.com/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=144936&command=displayContent&sourceNode=144919&contentPK=16605701&moduleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch - This is Bristol in association with the Evening Post 10th February 2007.

ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTES TO THE MASTER OF WILD FILM - http://www.thisisbristol.com/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=144936&command=displayContent&sourceNode=144919&contentPK=16611837&moduleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch -
This is Bristol in association with the Evening Post 10th February 2007.

@Bristol - http://www.at-bristol.org.uk/

Wildscreen - http://www.wildscreen.org

Discovering Bristol Science City - http://www.southwestrda.org.uk/news/release.asp?ReleaseID=1839 - 2nd February 2007.

Innovation Initiatives -
http://www.southwestrda.org.uk/what-we-do/innovation/innovationinitiative/inspire-sw-projects.shtm#eef - Inspire SW - Projects.