The Vulcan to the Sky Trust, Doncaster, England, is moving closer to securing a permanent home for Avro Vulcan XH558 and English Electric Canberra WK163, with discussions over the proposed site now approaching the heads of terms stage. There are still important steps to complete, but the Trust believes construction could begin as early as March if the remaining work progresses as hoped. Raising the money needed through the Raise the Roof campaign remains central to that timeline. “If all goes well, we could have spades in the ground by March,” said Trust CEO Craig Shepherd. “That is a possibility, rather than a promise.”
The fundraising effort has received support from SET Limited, which has recently joined the campaign. Other organizations have also expressed interest in helping, although some have chosen to remain anonymous for now. While work toward a permanent home continues, the Trust has also been dealing with the closure of its long-standing stores in Stratford-upon-Avon. Shepherd reassured supporters that aircraft parts held at the site are not being disposed of. Instead, they are being carefully moved and distributed as the stores close. The closure also brings an end to an important chapter for the volunteers who maintained the Stratford operation.
Shepherd gave particular thanks to Bob Jackson, who has served as the Trust’s Guardian of Stratford since 2015/16, as well as the volunteers who have supported the site over the years. The Trust is now looking ahead to opportunities that could bring younger people closer to its work. Its developing partnership with the Air & Space Institute and Newark College is opening possibilities for work experience, volunteering and education. Discussions are also underway with Harrison College about how students could contribute ideas to the Raise the Roof campaign. Those efforts reflect the late Dr. Robert Pleming’s vision of using aviation and engineering to inspire the next generation, while also giving the Trust new opportunities to connect its preservation work with education. Connections beyond the Trust’s own programs have also been developing. The South Yorkshire International Trade Conference gave the organization an opportunity to meet potential partners across the region, with Shepherd noting that several conversations from the event will now be followed up.
The Trust’s attention will soon turn to Halloween Howl (click HERE to read our article on the event), which will take place at Doncaster Sheffield Airport on Saturday, October 31. The event will feature XH558 and Canberra WK163, with a stationary engine run planned for the Vulcan. It will also be the first mass public event to feature XH558 since the aircraft’s flying days. “You’d be crazy to miss it!” Shepherd said. With the permanent-home project, fundraising campaign, educational partnerships and public events all developing at the same time, the Trust’s September update ends with an appeal to the people supporting its work. “Thank you for every donation, introduction and hour volunteered,” Shepherd said. “Each one helps bring our permanent home closer.” For more information and to support the Vulcan to the Sky, click on this link: vulcantothesky.org.
