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Vulcan project could close on February 28

10:50am Friday 5th February 2010 in


THE future of the historic Vulcan XH558 is under threat after the Vulcan to the Sky Trust announced that its funds are in a "precarious position".

The Trust took the decision to place its employees on one month's notice as of February 1 and the project could close down on February 28 grounding the iconic craft.

Trust members are now making a last ditch effort to "keep this great British aviation heritage icon in the skies" by asking for pledges for donations which can be honoured once targets have been met.

With under £200,000 raised since November against a goal of £800,000, the Trust needs to raise more than £300,000 in new pledges by the end of February to justify a stay of execution followed by a further £300,000 in pledges by the end of March.

For more information or to make a pledge visit vulcantothesky.org

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Comments(13)

rook says...
12:46pm Fri 5 Feb 10

What a shame. I can't imagine too much in the way of donations with finances as they are at the moment. This sort of project really needs an individual benefactor to do it justice. Mr Branson, where are you?

Glad we had the chance to see this great plane last year and I hope there is some last minute saviour.

To me this kind of heritage is something which should justify our taxes being spent on it rather than the way they are wasted in so many areas.

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TFan says...
1:05pm Fri 5 Feb 10

I've pledged a little. I hope it helps. But I agree with you Rook, a benefactor with deep pockets is probably what the Vulcan needs. With the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight under threat in the defence review, 2010 could be a very sad year for our historic aircraft.

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SonofKinson says...
2:47pm Fri 5 Feb 10

I too have pledged an amount, in hope they I can have some say in the saving of the Vulcan Bomber. As with this story and many others, a large number of people, 1.3m travelled to Bournemouth to see Air Show 2009, and the Bournemouth Council took in some £30m. As that money was raised from people spending in the town and Air Show, would it not be fitting of Bournemouth Council to offer a considerable sum to help retain the Vulcan Bomber for future shows. It is a crowd puller.

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BrianBrain says...
4:10pm Fri 5 Feb 10

It would be a crying shame to loose this iconic aircraft to mothballs again.

This is a fantastic piece of our history which cannot be described to anyone it has to be felt and heard to understand.

It will be a huge loss to all if she is grounded.

I have to agree that all locations she goes to should be made to contribute to her upkeep as she was the only reason I went into Bournemouth to watch the airshow as I am sure is the case for many others.

One final thing is she is the only operational reminder of a heroic raid to free the Falkland Islanders under the Black Buck mission.

I have also contributed so dig deep everyone she is worth saving.

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TinyLegacy says...
4:27pm Fri 5 Feb 10

Agreed. It was an absolute pleasure to watch this looming in the skies last year for the first time (for me). If this country had more pride in itself and its history then this story wouldnt even be here.

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pedro66 says...
4:39pm Fri 5 Feb 10

Is the Vulcan not important enough to our heritage to deserve a lottery grant?

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Puj says...
6:01pm Fri 5 Feb 10

Many thanks to the Echo news team for bringing this to the fore again...

The Vulcan would not be in this financial state of affairs if a few more people donated to the cause. Just a small donation from a lot of people will make all the difference. Vulcan XH558 wants to display again this year... with your help - she will !!

People can make £3 donation from a mobile phone by texting vulcan to 82055

Thanks to those that have already donated/pledged.

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Localsfirst says...
6:17pm Fri 5 Feb 10

Yet another sign that this country is finished.
And without the Vulcan the Bournemouth airshow is finished too.
Theres no future here.

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Nickolai says...
7:00pm Fri 5 Feb 10

TFan wrote:
I've pledged a little. I hope it helps. But I agree with you Rook, a benefactor with deep pockets is probably what the Vulcan needs. With the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight under threat in the defence review, 2010 could be a very sad year for our historic aircraft.
Also, rumours again of the Red Arrows being disbanded - of course, all part of our heritage, history and triumphs of British design and engineering.
This government couldn't care less about any of this and will need no excuse to get rid of the lot.
Let's hope the new government after the election don't go through with any of it.

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poolebabe says...
9:56pm Fri 5 Feb 10

Oh what a shame! To see the Vulcan roaring through the skies was incredible. Being a star attraction of the Air Show that generates a lot of income, why can't the council put some money towards the fund? They made a lot of money, so did local buisnesses. It is a lot of money, but not a great deal to keep such an important piece of history in the skies. I think the council and local buisnesses could do a bit more as well. Come on people, dig deep.

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EGHH says...
8:01am Sat 6 Feb 10

Very sad. I'll hazard a guess and say it will go to the US where there are very active and well funded historic aircraft groups. Its almost like British industry in microcosm!

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speedy231278 says...
8:38pm Sat 6 Feb 10

The required target sounds huge, if everyone on the beach during the *free* Bournemouth Airshow gave just 50p to help XH558, it would pretty much make up the difference! Bournemouth Council should consider making a donation if they really made £30M from the airshow as has been suggested. The 'Vulcan Effect' was staggering on both Saturday and Sunday. Surely there can be no coincidence that Saturday's attendance was probably more than the entire event the previous year, and, I believe, set a world record in the process? The overall attendance did likewise as I recall reading.

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K9F says...
3:24pm Mon 8 Feb 10

Localsfirst wrote:
Yet another sign that this country is finished. And without the Vulcan the Bournemouth airshow is finished too. Theres no future here.
What a bundle of joy you are and what rot!
Do you do after dinner speeches as well?

Move then!

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