Donald Campbell's restored Bluebird in museum home row

[thunderer]

Looks like a lot of arse covering coming from the LDNPA, shifting the blame for any delays on proving trials squarely at other parties. But then, that is just my own view of it and that may be a misinterpretation on my own part.

There is also a liberal amount of mentioning "apply for an exemption to the speed limit" and "before moving to her permanent purpose built home in the Ruskin Museum".

Only time will tell as to what happens, but I have my own prediction on things based on previous behaviour.....

[Renegadenemo]

Looks like a lot of arse covering coming from the LDNPA, shifting the blame for any delays on proving trials squarely at other parties. But then, that is just my own view of it and that may be a misinterpretation on my own part.

Have to come out in defence of the LDNPA here. I agree with the above, broadly, but they have one big arse to cover and a world of whingeing NIMBYs who'd delight in kicking it so who can blame them? That said, they have sat fat, dumb and happy for the longest time back-stopping anything remotely controversial in order to keep collecting their wages without central government raising an eyebrow but this is different. The sleeping giant, whether that be their superiors or the public, has a beady eye on them now and after so many uneventful years it must be excruciating so their steady release of arse-covering wibble whilst remaining positive about the BBP is only to be expected but at the end of the day they're right to sit on their fence.

It's actually the job of the BBP and the BEWG (Bluebird Event Working Group) to cover the LDNPA's arse in order to do our jobs professionally and, ultimately, to adequately cover our own behinds too so I have to grant the LDNPA a pardon on this.

The BBP's safety document runs to 32 pages and is a credit to our Op's department but the remainder that the BEWG had to produce simply could not be properly assembled in the time available and is going to require a much greater effort over a longer timescale. Don't get us wrong, we'd love to play the Coniston gig (even if I do detest all this 'spiritual home' bollocks) but it's a big, big job that will doubtless be realised in the fullness of time - just not this time around. We'll get there, we always do.

[pmc]

At the LDNPA page posted yesterday by Malcolm:

Update 30 January, 2019

Steve Tatlock, Park Management team leader at the Lake District National Park, said: “We are disappointed to hear the Bluebird Event Group will not be bringing Bluebird K7 back to Coniston Water this summer, [...]”

And more apparently new answering of questions than I took time to read. As much as I did read looked like... it wasn't written by BBP.

[Richie]

Where was this posted PMC ? do you have a link ?

[Malcolm Ops]

Richie, just hit the link I posted a page back and the statement from Steve Tatlock is there in and amongst the FAQs. I do not know what 'planning' there has been behind the scenes of the BEWG as the decision was theirs to reveal.

[Renegadenemo]

.

Press Release / Positioning Statement.

On the evening of Tuesday 29th January 2019 at 19:08 the Bluebird Project and LDNPA were informed by the BEWG (Bluebird Event Working Group. (The committee responsible for submitting a public event plan to the Lake District National Park Authority for Bluebird's operation on Coniston Water.)) via email that:-

Due to unforeseen circumstances we will not be going ahead with the proposed dates for running Bluebird on Coniston Water in July 2019. However, we remain committed to celebrating Bluebird's return to Coniston.

Clarification was immediately sought and a request sent that a representative of the BEWG contact BBP next day to discuss and agree a policy going forwards with regard to future plans and media relations. This met with no response whatsoever and several attempts have been made throughout today (Wednesday 30th) by the BBP to speak with a representative of the BEWG without result.

We at the BBP have no idea what these 'unforeseen circumstances' may be at this time and it is regrettable that the planned and long-awaited return to Coniston Water will not happen in 2019 but we are equally committed to displaying Bluebird this year and have thus maintained options on alternate venues against this eventuality and therefore hope soon to announce when and where you can see this iconic machine in action in 2019 as well as enjoying a richer range of educational and inspirational activities on offer during our second crew training exercise.
In addition, we have also formally invited the Ruskin Museum as co-owners of K7 and our long-term partners, to be an integral part of this so as to further cement Bluebird's eventual return to and display in the Village of Coniston between outings.

Ends.

[pmc]

I wrote

As much as I did read looked like... it wasn't written by BBP.

That was a bit of snark at the LDNPA.

After reading maybe another 20% of the page, I take back my snark. Looks like maybe mostly kinda reasonable.

[Richie]

All very sudden, but I hope all is well at Coniston, we don’t know why the plug has been pulled at this stage, but for all we know, it could be for any number of reasons.

I am sure someone will make contact in due course.

[Techteam]

I suspected as much yesterday after carefully reading Bill's post he had pretty much already told us in that post.

[auldescort]

Crazy situation yet again. Did people not see what happended on Bute and how the locals embraced the visit , bent over backwards to accomodate Bluebird and the team and how thousands of people from all over the world flocked to a small clyde island.

Now we would love Bluebird back but I dont think that is the answer as Loch Fad was stretched to the limits speed wise. Dont get me wrong , if you announced a return to Bute , you would receive the same welcome and assistance and probably an increase in visitors but I am thinking of another famous scottish loch in the history of speed records - Loch Ness ??