Greenham Common Control Tower has received funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to support its opening this summer. The funding, made possible by money raised by National Lottery players, will be used to train volunteers and to plan and launch new exhibits and interpretations of its history. The Control Tower is currently recruiting a Project and Volunteer coordinator for a one-year post to manage the scheme. (Further information available at https://www.facebook.com/GreenhamControlTower/).
The Control Tower was officially handed over from Greenham Parish Council to the new Greenham Control Tower Ltd earlier this month and is in the finishing stages of the restoration of this historically significant Grade II listed building that lay dormant for over 25 years. It is now transformed and will open as a visitor attraction and focal point of cultural and historic value to locals, national and international visitors to Greenham Common. The Control Tower features a stunning viewing area across the common from the glass cupola dome.
Initial facilities will include access to the dome, a volunteer-led café and toilets which will open at the Control Tower during the summer months of 2018.
The museum plans will launch with a series of ticketed live interpretation events from 8 to 16 September for the general public and schools funded by Greenham Trust and running across the two national 2018 Heritage Open Weekends. The Greenham Cold War Experience will incorporate professionally performed Cold War scenes at the Control Tower, Decontamination Suite, and a ‘peace camp’ site, all linked with a military history walk across the Common. Tickets are available at the Corn Exchange Box office and via its website.
The launch will be complemented by a series of events including public talks and guided walks as well as a great range of opportunities for volunteers to get involved in the project. Greenham Control Tower spokesperson and member of the Board of Directors, Jonathan Sayers, explains:
“Greenham Control Tower Ltd is delighted to be able to open this historic building to the public as a visitor attraction and community facility. A special programme of exciting regular events will be an important feature of the tower as well as offering a series of great opportunities for volunteers to share in these and the phases of development to come.”
Michelle Roffe, Head of HLF South East said:
“With the help of National Lottery players, we are pleased to give people the opportunity to learn and explore the unique heritage of Greenham Control Tower as it opens to the public for the first time.”
Image credit: Oxygen Photography
