Aviation & Aerospace
Published: July 6, 2023 | Updated: 5th July 2023
Farnborough Airport is now home to a new community hub in which promises to bring together people and information and help the Airport to forge deeper local connections.
The Nexus, which opened its doors this week, is kitted out with modern conferencing technology and will host a variety of community and educational events, with capacity for up to 50 people.
As well as being available for third-party hire, it also acts as a learning and development centre for staff at the Farnborough Airport Company.
A focal point of the new centre is the full-scale wall mural designed by Catherine Guest from the neighbouring University of the Creative Arts in Farnham.
Her finished artwork – entitled ‘One Airport. One Town. One Legacy’ – pays homage to the success of the Airport over the years and its proud ties to the town of Farnborough.
Catherine said: “When Farnborough Airport explained that they wanted to create a space to welcome the local community and encourage connection, I knew it was something I wanted to be involved in.
“The team were so easy to work with and really took the time to understand and help me to develop my ideas.
“I experimented with lots of pictures and photographs before I decided to create clusters of collaged elements through the piece, incorporating the images I felt were important.”
Along with the unveiling of Catherine’s mural, the grand opening saw the Airport welcome a group of Year Nine students from Cove Secondary School for a tour of the new facilities.
The Nexus is set to host plenty such visits over the coming months from local schools and colleges, raising awareness of how STEAM subjects – science, technology, engineering, arts, and maths – can be applied to the world of aviation.
As a community space it will also provide a venue for a variety of specialist aviation-related events with local civic and special interest groups.
Simon Geere, CEO of Farnborough Airport, added: “It’s difficult to think of another location where the airport and its local area are so inextricably linked.
“It’s with this in mind that we are committed to further strengthening the bond between Farnborough Airport and the local community by making the airport more open and available for the benefit of the local area.
“We want people to share in our story and our history as the home of British Aviation, where innovation, education and community thrive together, ensuring a brighter and more prosperous tomorrow for all.
“One Airport. One Town. One Legacy.”
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Simon and the team at Farnborough Airport are also proud headline sponsors of this year’s inaugural Hampshire Business Awards.
Hosted by The Business Magazine in collaboration with Hampshire County Council, the awards are set to celebrate business success across the county this November 30, with nominations open until September 15.
