Greenham Common, 29th September 2023
Oct 13, 2023 14:56:59 GMT 1
northbynorthwest, ian531, and 6 more like this
Post by acklington on Oct 13, 2023 14:56:59 GMT 1
Our recent extensive road trip around Britain was non-spotting, but on passing through Berkshire a coffee stop was convenient at the Greenham Common Control Tower cafe. They say "never go back" so it was with some trepidation that I approached. My trepidation was fuelled by occasional google searches for 'Greenham Common', which have left me with the overwhelming impression that the place has become a monument to women's peace camps & liberation, and little else.
So, the big surprise is that the Control Tower has become not only an excellent and popular cafe for the many users of the Common open space, but it is also an excellent museum dedicated largely to the aviation history of the site. The restoration of the Control Tower is most impressive, with every door and space clearly labelled with the original use, yes even the loos. The 'peace protests' are included, but kept well within proportion. The cafe ceiling, in contrast, has a full miniature fleet of Dakotas (Skytrains) and Horsa/Wacko gliders streaming across on their way to D-Day. Plus video screens replaying the flying displays from IATs past.
XT153, 14 Flt, Greenham Common, 26 June 77 w by Philip Pain, on Flickr
45 years after I took this photo of the Control Tower, here is the same scene today
Greenham Common, 29 Sept 23 (1) w by Philip Pain, on Flickr
And here is somewhere you never got to go back in 1977
Greenham Common, 29 Sept 23 (3) w by Philip Pain, on Flickr
Greenham Common, 29 Sept 23 (2) w by Philip Pain, on Flickr
You can see that their knowledgeable and enthusiastic volunteers are re-creating the visual Control interior, complete with live display screens of overflying air traffic, etc. Well worth a visit, if you are passing nearby. The cake ain't bad, either!
So, the big surprise is that the Control Tower has become not only an excellent and popular cafe for the many users of the Common open space, but it is also an excellent museum dedicated largely to the aviation history of the site. The restoration of the Control Tower is most impressive, with every door and space clearly labelled with the original use, yes even the loos. The 'peace protests' are included, but kept well within proportion. The cafe ceiling, in contrast, has a full miniature fleet of Dakotas (Skytrains) and Horsa/Wacko gliders streaming across on their way to D-Day. Plus video screens replaying the flying displays from IATs past.
XT153, 14 Flt, Greenham Common, 26 June 77 w by Philip Pain, on Flickr45 years after I took this photo of the Control Tower, here is the same scene today
Greenham Common, 29 Sept 23 (1) w by Philip Pain, on FlickrAnd here is somewhere you never got to go back in 1977
Greenham Common, 29 Sept 23 (3) w by Philip Pain, on FlickrGreenham Common, 29 Sept 23 (2) w by Philip Pain, on FlickrYou can see that their knowledgeable and enthusiastic volunteers are re-creating the visual Control interior, complete with live display screens of overflying air traffic, etc. Well worth a visit, if you are passing nearby. The cake ain't bad, either!
