The Prince of Wales has joined the fight to save the RAF base Bentley Priory.
HRH has accepted the Bentley Priory Battle of Britain Trust’s invitation to become Patron of its appeal to raise £1.8m to create a museum within the historic rooms of the Priory.
The base, in Stanmore near Harrow, was the headquarters of Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain, led by RAF Commander Sir Hugh Dowding.
The fundraising appeal aims to create a museum and education centre at the site and launch a project to take Battle of Britain education into schools around the borough.
The Prince of Wales’ office said: “The restoration of important buildings is both a time consuming and expensive business but their preservation adds greatly to the important heritage and fabric of our country.
“HRH The Prince of Wales is hugely encouraged by the creative way that the Bentley Priory Battle of Britain Trust has worked with assistance from The Prince’s Regeneration Trust to forge an innovative partnership with the developers which should serve as a blueprint for similar heritage projects in the future.”
Air chief marshal, Sir Brian Burridge, chair of trustees for the trust, said: “We are honoured that The Prince of Wales is supporting our project with his patronage.
“His support means a great deal to the survivors of The Few who consider Bentley Priory to be their spiritual home. While the raising of the remaining funds will be a challenge, we now look forward to moving ahead with our project and opening the museum in 2013.
“We are almost at the culmination of six years’ work. Renovation has already started and we now need to ensure that the important stories that Bentley Priory holds within its fabric are exposed to public view.”