Return Of Bluebird
The famous Bluebird water speed
craft is to be fully restored after it was raised from the depths of Coniston
Lake back in 2001.
The operator, Donald Campbell, died in 1967 while attempting to break the
speed record in the craft.
His daughter, Gina Campbell has signed over the craft to the Coniston Ruskin Museum where they will attempt to gain funds to help pay for the restoration.
The cost of the restoration is said to run into the millions but the first job will be to build a structure to house the craft for the restoration period.
The man who found Bluebird in Coniston Lake and raised her from her dark watery resting place was Bill Smith who has announced he will work on the restoration free of charge.
There have been numerous attempts to gain funding for the restoration of Bluebird but all were rejected. Most recently a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund has failed after four years of discussions.
Gina Campbell said “A lot of time, money and effort has been wasted. So I've decided to go it alone and secure the Bluebird's future for the people of Coniston whose kindness and generosity to my family has been without parallel”.
The Ruskin museum where Bluebird is being stored will now apply for local economic regeneration funding to help with the work.
A curator at the museum, Vicky Slowe said “We know from our visitors and from local people that they want to see Bluebird in a pristine condition and in all her glory. The Campbell family's trust in us to help them deliver that dream is wonderful."
