VISITORS to the National Museum of Flight at East Fortune next Friday (March 6) will get the chance to have a look behind the scenes of a £1.3 million restoration project.
The money, from the Heritage Lottery Fund, was awarded to thecounty museum last year to help restore two of its Second World War hangars.
Work is being carried out by Balfour Beatty, which was responsible for building the hangars in 1940.
When the hangars were designed, it was anticipated they would have a lifespan of just a few years.
The project will restore the buildings to their original condition and improve the visitor experience by introducing new displays.
Once restored, one hangar will display military aircraft, while the other will showcase smaller commercial and leisure aircraft dating from 1939 onwards.
The event is part of Open Doors Weekend 2015, an initiative that welcomes members of the public to go round a construction site in their area.
In total, 75 sites across England, Scotland and Wales are opening their doors.
Stephen Ratcliffe, director of the UK Contractors Group, said: “Construction is undergoing rapid change and needs to develop a skilled, diverse workforce to meet these challenges and maintain its position as one of this country’s most dynamic, creative and important industries.
“Nowadays, construction is more about careers than jobs and the expected increase in demand for management roles in the next few years means that we need quality talent entering the industry now to fill these future positions.
“Open Doors Weekend is a unique opportunity for the industry to display the complexity, excitement and scope of modern construction projects and give people a taste of what it’s really like to work in the industry.
“But places will be limited so I’d encourage anyone interested to go on the site and register to secure their place to avoid disappointment.” Following a short safety induction, visitors to the site will be shown round the construction works, gaining an insight into how the buildings will be restored.
To book a place for the site visit or for more information, go to www.opendoorsweekend.co.uk/site/262#sthash.oG2qppS4.dpbs
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