Nottingham-based Focus
Consultants has been working with the Vulcan to the Sky Trust to undertake an
options appraisal to identify the best possible future for the iconic aircraft
Avro Vulcan XH558, The Spirit of Great Britain.
The Vulcan was flown by the
RAF for 33 years between 1960 and 1993. She was built to deliver Britain’s
first atomic bomb, ‘Blue Danube’, as a deterrent against Soviet aggression
during the Cold War. Through fundraising and restoration work, widely believed
to be the most complex technical heritage project ever undertaken, she was
returned to flight in 2007 and has since performed in numerous air shows across
the UK and Europe.
However, for a range of
technical reasons, the aircraft is coming towards the end of its flying life.
The Vulcan to the Sky Trust, which owns and operates the aircraft, is keen that
there will be continuing public benefits once she has stopped flying in the
form of education and inspirational activities around the aircraft aimed at
helping to solve the shortage of engineers and technical staff that is
currently a significant challenge for British businesses.
In recognition of this, the
Vulcan to the Sky Trust has been awarded £10,000 funding from the Heritage
Lottery Fund’s Start Up Programme to identify the most effective future role
for the best conserved large British aircraft of her era after she is grounded.
For the last three months,
Focus has been working with the Trust to examine a range of options which will
allow the Vulcan to maintain the value endowed upon it by the public and enable
her to continue to deliver substantial public benefit.
Dr Robert Pleming, chief
executive of the Vulcan to the Sky Trust said: “We are thrilled the Heritage
Lottery Fund has recognised the potential of Vulcan XH558 to bring value to our
economy and pleasure to the public even when she is no longer flying. We have been working with Focus to look at
how XH558 can continue inspiring young people with the excitement of
engineering and innovation, helping to solve the UK’s technical skills
shortage.”
Associate at Focus, Heather
Frecklington, said: “The Vulcan has incredible significance, as a powerful reminder
of the knife-edge tension of the Cold War, an innovative engineering triumph
and a symbol that continues to pull on the heart strings of the British public.
It is essential that her revered position is maintained once she has been
permanently grounded and is not lost for future generations. At Focus we are proud to be working with the
Trust to identify an option that not only ensures her survival in outstanding
condition, but also ensures she continues to inspire and benefit the public who
have shown boundless support for her hitherto.”
The Vulcan is currently based
at Robin Hood Airport, Doncaster.
Focus, which is celebrating
its 20th anniversary during 2014, offers a range of services in the
heritage and development sector, including funding and economic development,
regeneration expertise, energy consultancy and chartered surveying services.
Since its creation in 1994,
Focus has secured more than £925 million of grant assistance and delivered more
than £1 billion of projects and programmes - making it one of the most
successful businesses of its kind in the country.
It has worked on a range of
high-profile projects in the arts, heritage and tourism sector, including some
of the major museums across the UK, and important historical and ecclesiastical
sites.
As well as its head office at
Phoenix Business Park in Nottingham, it also has branches in London, Leicester,
and Boston and Aubourn in Lincolnshire.
For more information visit www.focus-consultants.co.uk
Press release issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk
