Editing Nothe Fort (section)

===Recent history===
By 1961 the Navy had no further use for the fort and it was sold to Weymouth and Melcombe Regis Borough Council. Under the ownership of the council the fort remained unoccupied and quickly became a victim of vandalism, before starting to fall into a state of dereliction. During this time numerous ideas were suggested, including turning the fort into a luxury hotel complex. Work began to turn the fort into a hotel in 1971 but was soon abandoned shortly after.

In 1980, the Weymouth Civic Society took over responsibility for the fort through a lease with the borough council, allowing restoration work to begin, with assistance from the [[Manpower Services Commission|Manpower Services Scheme]]. Later in the 1980s, as a result of the [[Cold War]] period, part of the fort's magazine level was used as a nuclear shelter for civil administration, which included the creation of command and accommodation areas, and the installation of heavy blast doors.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nothefort.org.uk/museum-history/history-nothe-fort-post-1957 |title=History of Nothe Fort - Post 1957 |publisher=Nothe Fort |access-date=6 October 2018}}</ref>

Nothe Fort has been gradually transformed into a museum and tourist attraction, where it remains open to the public today. Following the early restoration work, the fort was given a £1.8m lottery grant and a further £600,000 investment due to the involvement of local authorities and English Heritage. The fort is run by a team of five paid staff members and a dedicated team of 70 volunteers,<ref name="autogenerated1"/> while the Friends of Nothe Fort group has also been established to promote interest in the fort and to encourage its growth as a museum and attraction.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nothefort.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15 |title=Friends of |publisher=Nothe Fort |access-date=22 February 2013}}</ref>

The museum features models, World War II memorabilia as well as original [[cannon]]s, [[gun]]s, British and American WWII vehicles. It has many displays, exhibits and audio-visual facilities. The courtyard often holds community events such as military festivals, concerts, dramas, and cultural Olympiad.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visit-dorset.com/things-to-do/attractions/nothe-fort-p130103 |title=Nothe Fort - Castle/Fort in Weymouth, Weymouth and Portland - Dorset |publisher=Visit-dorset.com |access-date=22 February 2013}}</ref>

In 2007, a survey carried out by The National Lottery revealed the fort to be voted one of the spookiest locations in the UK.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nothefort.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21 |title=Paranormal |publisher=Nothe Fort |date=20 March 2010 |access-date=22 February 2013}}</ref>

In 2012, hundreds of individuals applied to be volunteers at the fort for the Summer Olympics. 150 people were recruited as marshals during the games, when 4,600 ticketed spectators a day flocked to the official view point for a fortnight. The fort and the gardens were closed off to the public during the games.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/9549706.Hundreds_apply_to_be_Olympics_volunteers_at_Weymouth_s_Nothe_Fort/ |title=Hundreds apply to be Olympics volunteers at Weymouth's Nothe Fort (From Dorset Echo) |publisher=Dorsetecho.co.uk |date=23 February 2012 |access-date=22 February 2013}}</ref>