Greenham exhibition: common land to military airfield and back again

Greenham Common Control Tower exhibition: Where Community Meets Heritage

“I didn’t know that” is often the response of visitors viewing the new exhibition at Greenham Control Tower.

There is much to learn in this exhibition that spans an 80-year period when Greenham Common made the unlikely transition from common land to military airfield and back to common land again. It includes events in Newbury and on the Common in the Second World War, including D Day preparations and celebrations, accounts of the Air Tattoos held in the 1970s and moves on to the use of the Common in 1983 to store Cruise missiles which prompted the establishment of the renowned women’s peace camp and protests.

Visitors are able to view maps of the common during its various stages of development; learn about its role in various battles, including the invasion of North Africa (Operation Torch), Arnhem (Market Garden) and the crossing of the Rhine, and most especially preparations for the D-Day Landings (Overlord).

A number of panels cover Newbury’s contributions to the war effort with many local engineering works engaged in producing military parts and women playing a vital role in their production. Photographs show the destruction of notable buildings in air raids, such as St Bartholomew’s alms houses and St John the Evangelist church. The displays related to the women’s protest camp includes their experiences of being arrested and the Browsing Book offers a fascinating first-hand account by one of the Peace Camp women, including a description of their cunning communication methods in a pre-digital age.

The exhibition is a retrospective drawing on previous exhibitions put together by the Control Tower’s team of expert volunteers and includes panels displayed during the Covid pandemic which were little viewed at the time.

Greenham Common Control Tower aims to promote an understanding of the history, the social issues that surround it and the landscape and ecology held within. It does this by offering a rolling programme of exhibitions, talks from visiting speakers, activities involving local schools, youth and adult groups, guided walks, and theatre performances. More information is provided on www.greenhamtower.org.uk

The exhibition runs to April 30 and is open Wed, Thur, Fri 10.30am -3pm and Sat, Sun 10am-4pm.