DEATH OF AN ICON. A FUNERAL FOR OUR FRIEND

In February 2024 it became obvious that the Ruskin Museum in Coniston was not going to keep its side of a long standing prior agreement under which Bluebird Project, having spent 20 years rebuilding the boat to the highest possible standard, would look after and operate the craft into the future whilst the museum would provide a safe home and quality display. The volunteer team therefore took the difficult decision to step back and packed the boat off to Coniston, but first its Orpheus engine had to come out because the engine's owner would only have Bluebird Project look after and maintain it and, despite his best efforts to negotiate a deal whereby the engine could stay, the Ruskin Museum wouldn't have that either. An outpouring of public disgust and dismay across every platform at how the Bluebird Project was treated immediately ensued yet not a single member of the team was invited to the grand unveiling. But wrongs like this have a habit of righting themselves given time and when it does, Bluebird Project will be there because the team is family and new projects await. Here are the last few weeks of Bluebird being dismantled and prepared for her journey. Au revoir, old friend.