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We are a Community Interest Company (CIC) registered with Companies’ House (No. 15086653). We are dedicated to restoring and repurposing the former RAF Tangmere’s derelict control tower (Watch Office) into a community facility. The current building, which was built in 1944 and ceased operation in 1970, is Grade II listed and on the heritage at risk register.
We do not wish to be a potential future operator and are only concerned with the campaign for the control tower’s restoration. Our aim is to work with local partners, contractors, suppliers, the owner, and their agent throughout the process of safeguarding the building and working through each RIBA process. We aim to fundraise and work with the community and all other partners to identify grant opportunities to raise support.
Matt Gover-Wren
Matt is a former resident of Tangmere and was a co-opted member of Tangmere Parish Council. He served for four years from 2014-2018. In this role he was the Chairman of Tangmere Action Group and Interim Vice-Chairman of the Parish Council. He has worked in local government for over 10 years and currently works for Arun District Council as an economic regeneration projects officer. He was instrumental in ensuring the control tower was placed on the heritage at risk register in 2015. He has also represented the campaign on through print, radio, and TV media. He has pulled together several local and national partners over several years.
Dr Andrew Smith
Andrew is currently the Director of Liberal Arts at Queen Mary University of London. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and has served as Director of Communications, Honorary Secretary, and Counsellor. He was a Reader in Contemporary History and Politics at the University of Chichester, where he worked with Matt as a partner in the campaign. He is a specialist historian in modern France and has worked regularly with Sky News, BBC, France 24, and other media outlets as an expert commentator.
Dr Ian Wightman
Ian is currently a Historic Building Consultant and works in a self-employed capacity. He has over 15 years’ experience working with architects and planning consultants advising on historic buildings. He has worked in both public and private sectors as either a Senior Historic Buildings Advisor or a Heritage Consultant. Ian met Matt whilst working at Chichester District Council, where he also assisted Arun District Council and South Downs National Park. Ian’s expertise was essential in the heritage at risk classification (2015) and has met the owners on site regarding this. Ian was elected as a full member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation in 2016.
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