Bluebird to get new purpose-built home
Oct 5 2007 by Liz Hands, The Journal
A NEW home for Donald Campbell’s jet-powered boat Bluebird K7 is to be built at a Lake District museum following a cash pledge yesterday.
Economic regeneration organisation Cumbria Vision confirmed a £250,000 award to the project at the Ruskin Museum in Coniston.
The grant is half of the £500,000 needed to build the extension, which will be completed next June.
The rest of the money has been raised by the Ruskin Museum through donations from charities and the local community.
The museum is now trying to raise a further £250,000 that will pay for, among other improvements, new interpretation boards and displays, allowing visitors to learn more about Bluebird and Donald Campbell’s record-breaking achievements.
Vicky Slowe, of the Ruskin Museum, said: “This is fantastic news for the whole Bluebird project and we would like to thank Cumbria Vision together with all of the charities, local businesses and residents who have ensured that we reached this milestone.
“The fact that £40,000 has been raised by the small communities in and around Coniston just shows how important people and businesses believe this will be in raising the profile of the area as well as helping to boost the economy.
“We would now like to send another rallying cry to charities for help in raising the rest of the money that will help us complete this project and truly commemorate the achievements of Donald Campbell and Bluebird.”
Freddy Markham, Cumbria Vision programme manager, said: “Cumbria Vision is delighted to confirm its support for what will be a world-class attraction in the heart of the Lake District.
“Donald Campbell’s legacy is a major draw for visitors, and securing a home for this record-breaking boat is an important part of our push to improve the Lake District as a tourist destination and help improve Cumbria’s economy.”
This year marks the 40th anniversary of Donald Campbell’s death on Coniston Water in an attempt to beat his own water speed record in Bluebird.
The craft was finally recovered in 2001 by professional engineer, underwater surveyor and amateur diver, Bill Smith, who is now fronting the project to restore it at no expense to the public.
The boat was donated to The Ruskin Museum by the Campbell family in January to mark the special anniversary.
