Greenham Common Control Tower

I first stepped into the Control Tower on the 18th May 2017 after I had contacted Greenham Parish Council to see if it was possible to have a look around and take a few photographs. To be honest, I just wanted to be nosey and see what was inside. This fleeting glimpse inside this disused control tower sparked something and I could see their vision of what they were trying to achieve.

Those first tentative steps lead to a few more visits during the final refurbishment before it had a soft opening to test out the cafe.

Greenham Control Tower opened its doors in Summer 2018 as a visitor centre and community hub with the aim to preserve and share the historical legacy of one of the few remaining airfield buildings. Telling the story of Greenham Common whilst supporting and cooperating with local organisations for the benefit of the whole community.

The control tower offers an open space to enjoy the common from a fascinating and dynamic location with a range of activities and facilities aimed at all ages to educate, inform and entertain where you can reach for the skies from the comfort of the ground.

Since those first steps, I was in the first batch of the volunteers to be “recruited” and I’m now one of the building guides, assist with the Tower social media platforms and I’m also the Official Greenham Common Control Tower Photographer.

The photos below are a small selection of the images I have taken since May 2017 and chronicle the Towers’ resurrection from a derelict building, and then being brought back into life as a visitor centre and community hub and giving it a new lease of life.

The Control Tower is one of the most iconic buildings in the Newbury area and is very unique in the fact that the Control Tower doesn’t overlook an active or disused runway. The runway was removed in 2000.

 

On the 14th July 2018 we invited in people from the Newbury / Thatcham area for our “Share & Tell” event.  Local people brought in various artefacts and memorabilia from Greenham Common and the Air Tattoos.   Here is a very small selection of items photographed during the day.

In August 2018 we invited more speakers to The Tower to give talks on various subjects – 1st August 2018 – Peace Talk  8th August 2018 – Evacuee Talk

The weekend 7th / 8th September 2018 saw the official opening of Greenham Common Control Tower.    In conjunction with Fete Day we held our first immersive theatre event “The Cold War Experience”.

On Remembrance Day (Sunday 11th November 2018) – Greenham Common Control Tower took part in the nationwide day of commemorative events by marking the centenary of the end of the First World War and paying tribute to the millions killed or wounded in battle, and those on the home front who struggled amidst pain and loss to help ensure freedom survived.  At 19.00 over 1,000 “Beacons of Light” were lit around the country symbolising an end to the darkness of war and a return to the light of peace.