At a meeting at the Queens Hotel, Penzance in 2001 it was decided to try and open a NCI lookout in the derelict Gunnery Observation Tower at Chyandour. The tower is not in a romantic position, being just above the railway station, but has excellent visibility over most of Mounts Bay, particularly Penzance Harbour and the popular windsurfing and kitesurfing beaches towards Marazion.
Kevin Sansom was appointed our first Station Manager. Volunteer teams led by Dick Brown completed gutting the interior, "temporarily" repaired the roof, replaced the upstairs joists and floor, and installed double-glazed windows and new electrics. Finally the tower was decorated inside and out with paints which had strange colours, but cost us nothing! Watches were started early in 2002.