Saturday 28/09/2024 - GREENHAM COMMON -Leader: Roger B

This is a fairly easy walk with some gentle climbs en route. The morning section of the walk crosses Greenham
Common, a former World War II and NATO airfield, where we visit the Control Tower, now a museum. In 1953 it
was made available to the United States Air Force by the Ministry of Defence as a Strategic Air Command base
and in the early 1980s cruise missiles were deployed here. In September 1981 a protest against the missiles
began and became the women's peace camp. Did you take part? Subsequently the last cruise missiles were
removed in 1991 and the facility was closed and put up for sale in 1993. The Greenham Common Trust
purchased the land in 1997 and the majority of the land has been returned to something approaching its former
natural state. The afternoon section crosses the common and takes us through the varied Berkshire countryside
finishing at Thatcham. Lunch: Picnic or light lunch at the Control Tower cafe. 

Outside Greenham Common, Blue Gate - place of protest

Walking by the River Enborne

Greenham tapestry

Presentatiion in the Greenham Control Tower

Approaching the control tower

Air traffic controllers guiding in a  plane??

 Photos: Sue E