Members of the public have the opportunity to learn more about the history of the University of Chichester campus through a special event organised for Heritage Open Day.
The campus on College Lane was originally the site of an early 19th century church college founded by William Otter, Bishop of Chichester. Although it is one of the oldest higher education institutions in the UK, it is now one of the newest Universities in the country, having gained this status in 2005.
As the institution was established in 1839, there are a number of historical buildings and features that are not normally open to the public, but Heritage Open Day on 10 September provides people with the opportunity to look behind the scenes.
Two guided tours will take visitors around some of the most beautiful buildings and gardens on the Bishop Otter Campus, with stories being told about the many famous visitors and associates from the University’s past.
History will also be brought to life to tell the story of how the campus played a key role in the D-Day invasion during the Second World War. The Bishop Otter Training College, as it was known then, was taken over by the Air Ministry in 1942, just after the Battle of Britain. Its position in the south of the country made it an important military location and it was used for a variety of purposes up until D-Day.
Visitors on Heritage Open Day will be able to see room E124, which was turned into a control room for 56 squadrons of the RAF that featured in the airborne invasion of Normandy.
The tours take place at 10.30am and 2.00pm on 10 September, lasting approximately two hours. Booking is required because of restricted numbers. To book a place, please call 01243 816132 or e-mail s.tressler@chi.ac.uk.
Posts
