Latest update from the VTTS website:
“Mixed emotions – and even more mixed weather!
14 July 2009 – Robert Pleming
Our seemingly never ending roller-coaster ride has continued in the last couple of weeks, with not only the Permit to Fly renewal issue to address, but also two annoying technical snags, and the first poor weather this summer to affect our flying programme.
Thankfully, we have had tremendous positive response from the majority of the public and so we now look optimistically forward to the summer holiday season with excitement and hope for clear, calm sunny days.
Display organisers have reported above-capacity crowds, drawn to the sight of our amazing aircraft. We must now capitalise on telling our story, to grow the income streams that will keep XH558 flying into the future.
This is where the new ‘Vulcan Village’ is really important, as the public presence of Vulcan to the Sky at airshows. We have already had many positive comments about the professional appearance this gives our project and will certainly remain the main focus of our ground operations. It is a hugely exciting development in our story.
At this point, I would like to remind everyone of the vital role played in the running of the Vulcan Village by the Vulcan To The Sky Supporters Club.
Not only have the Club part financed it, but the Vulcan Village is being operated throughout the season by dedicated volunteers drawn from the membership. We all owe a great deal of thanks to their unstinting support and hard work on what are very often 15 hour long working days!
I can also announce that the Club have kindly agreed to make a monthly standing order to the Trust of at least £5,000. This will directly cover costs of the two additional engineers the Trust has employed to begin the process of making the Trust self-reliant in terms of engineering support.
In addition, as a result of continuing membership renewals, together with a healthy increase of new members and merchandise sales, I have just received a cheque to the sum of £20,000 as a direct donation from the Club. Richard Clarke, the Club Chairman, tells me that he can foresee this being repeated again shortly, as the membership soars past 8,500.
Both the Club and the Trust believe that expanding the Club Membership is key to securing this project for the future, whilst also promoting our widening range of fundraising and commercial activities.
Please do everything you can to promote XH558 – especially if she is coming to an air show near you! Drop into the Vulcan Village, see the merchandise on offer, find out about the project in more detail or simply enter our £1 Raffle. Every single penny can make the difference to taking XH558 forward to the Airshow circuit next year, her 50th anniversary.
Best Regards,
Robert Pleming”
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