The world-renowned exhibition, on loan from the Natural History Museum in London, will open in February 2019. The most prestigious photography event of its kind, Wildlife Photographer of the Year provides a global platform that has showcased the natural world’s most astonishing and challenging sights for over 50 years. The 100 extraordinary images will celebrate the diversity of the natural world, from intimate animal portraits to astonishing wild landscapes.

Our director, Grant Brisland, said: 'Our aim is to launch a destination venue where local people have access to high quality national and international exhibitions on their doorstep. I was fortunate to see the current Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition earlier this year and immediately knew it was the right exhibition to launch The Base. The quality of the images are outstanding but it also forced me to think about my place in the world, the impact we are having on the environment and how incredibly lucky we are to live on a very beautiful planet. I’m hugely proud to bring this to the District with the support of Greenham Trust.'

The award-winning images, picked from almost 50,000 entries from 95 countries, will embark on an international tour that allows them to be seen by millions of people - with Newbury being one of those chosen few venues!

Chris Boulton, Chief Executive of Greenham Trust, said: 'The new Base building will see the creation of another important strand to our funding relationship with the Corn Exchange. We hope the exhibition they have secured will be the first of many, bringing in an exciting new era of nationally acclaimed projects coming to Greenham Business Park. I am sure it will be enjoyed by the community in West Berkshire and North Hampshire.'

Later in the year we will begin the process to find new artists and craft makers who will be resident at The Base. Grant Brisland added, 'the artists and craft makers will be the lifeblood of the building. Visitors to the Base will get the chance to experience the making process as well as participating in a range of workshops and experiencing high quality exhibitions. We will begin the artist selection process in the autumn and I look forward to announcing that in due course.'

Funded by Greenham Trust and managed by the Corn Exchange Newbury, the new visual arts gallery and makers' studios, will also feature a café facility and will sit at the new entrance to Greenham Business Park, providing a home to some of the finest artists and makers.

We look forward to welcoming you to The Base next year!