We have today email The Bluebird Project to make our position clear moving forwards. We have published the open letter for transparency.
An Open Letter
Date: as per email
FAO: Mr W. H. Smith, Directors of The Bluebird Project Ltd, and Volunteers of The Bluebird Project Re: Bluebird K7 – The Coniston Institute & Ruskin Museum (“The Museum”) and The Bluebird Project
Ltd (“BBP”)
We are writing regarding various comments made recently on “X”, formerly known as Twitter, with posts made directly by The Bluebird Project as well as people known to be volunteer members of the
Bluebird Project. We had intended to hold our counsel and let the situation die down, but it appears some members of the BBP wish to continue the reputational assassination of The Museum.
Firstly we would like to address the ongoing persistent posting of references to the Ruskin Museum and The Bluebird project working together in the future.
The Trustees of the Museum are at a loss to understand where anybody may have got the impression that this was ever a prospect. We are reluctant to stoop to a level where this becomes a drawn-out discussion, but your continued posting of misleading information and “baiting” of the Museum leads us to clarify some points. During the litigation regarding ownership of Bluebird K7, there was an exchange of costs budgets 2 weeks prior to the Costs & Case management Conference (CCMC), that was on 25th January 2024, with the CCMC scheduled for 8th February.
On 26th January, your legal advisors, following the instructions of their Client sent a settlement offer to our solicitors, (for the avoidance of any doubt this was not accepted and was your position) thus :-
1. Bill Smith to walk away without seeking cost;
2. The Bluebird Project:
a. Donate the parts they own to the Museum; (we would dispute the parts were owned by BBP in any case)
b. Remove the engine to be returned to its owner (this is not disputed);
c. The Museum collects K7 three week following agreement;
d. The Museum has a permanent display acknowledging and demonstrating the recovery and restoration work done by The Bluebird Project; and
e. The Museum indemnifies The Bluebird Project, and any volunteers with The Bluebird Project, from any future claims arising out of the use and/or running of the restored boat.
f. Both The Bluebird Project and Bill Smith will not be involved in the maintenance and any future running of the craft.
This was the basis of the final order, which effectively ended the relationship which we had already told you was non-existent. We therefore do not understand your continued reference to working together in the future, by your own representative’s correspondence there is no suggestion of this (or agreement). You seem to think that you still have some rights in Bluebird K7, and that the world wants you involved. Let us assure you that the skills you may have acquired over the 23 years that K7 was in your possession exist elsewhere and the many thousands of visitors coming to see K7 are more than happy with what they see and what we do; with respect it is no longer your concern and your accomplishments have been and continue to be recognised.
Any suggestion of your ongoing involvement and the necessity of the Museum to come begging you to get involved again is at best a figment of your collective imagination, and at worst a deliberate attempt to further malign a well-run and legitimate organisation providing both a community asset, visitor attraction and a legacy of British History.
Furthermore, you were authorised only to remove the Orpheus engine on loan to you by Geoff Beck. There was a raft of other components, both original and fabricated for the restoration which you chose to withhold and then, upon being challenged, you claim there was no breach of the order to offer up ALL parts apart from the engine.
The Museum decided at this stage not to pursue these items given the long litigation process it had just endured. That said, we’re sure Graham Beech will be thrilled to learn you have “misplaced” the authentic radio he went to the effort of locating and donating to the restoration project. We do continue to reserve our position in this regard should this become necessary.
We therefore now ask each and every one of you to please cease and desist from the constant online criticism and “bad-mouthing” of the Museum, you under-estimated our resolve and resourcefulness regarding the litigation to gain possession of our property and we would not wish for all involved to be drawn into further proceedings which should be avoided.
If there is an agreement as you state or allege, please share this, we are all aware that there isn’t and we can only see this as an attempt to confuse and mislead the general public.
We would respectfully request that you allow us to proceed with our own plans without the background noise of your incessant heckling. Should this polite request be ignored, and you continue in your social media comments, we shall of course seek further advice; should it prove necessary we will advance further action. we wish for parties to move forward and to focus on the beauty and history of Bluebird K7 and not be weighed down with your continual negativity towards the Museum.
Yours sincerely
The Trustees of the Coniston Institute & Ruskin Museum
