Nmm Falmouth

[THUNDERBOLT]

Whilst in Cornwall on family business I had a chance to visit the NMM at Falmouth and was surprised how small it was and a little disappointing! Very few powercraft there! 4 actually, 3 hydroplanes and one Albatross Continental all suspended on cables…..but tucked in the back under restoration was a Stapley /Tremlett, MERLIN 2….In the outer hall there was a giant Wessex Helicopter (AIR SEA RESCUE) and my mind went back to the Surfury saga if they could get that in here why not the big S….then I checked the entrance door to what could have been one of the most significant museums in the country….8ft wide by 15ft high…”what a waste” someone really c*ck*d up there!

Mike

[Catweazle]

Originally Posted by THUNDERBOLT

what could have been

there lies the rub ,there not interested in stink boats.

[Miss Daisy]

I was there in the summer Mike and agree with you, pretty disappointing. I guess they're limited by space and what is donated to them but with what is out there in the ex-powerboat race world they could have cleaned up. And on top of that I couldn't take the dog in! She was very upset. . . . .
All the best

[THUNDERBOLT]

What also made me angry was the fact they have I believe a massive store of craft tucked away that will never see the light of day..Surfury is we know at Swindon BUT WHAT ELSE IS HIDDEN AWAY AND WHERE?

The entry fee was £9 for a pensioner!!! (not me I hasten to add!) ok it could be used all year but after seeing what was there nothing would entice us back again!

I think it is time we all put our weight behind the relocated Newport Museum at Cowes and maybe start some fund raising for them...
Mike

[gerry.p]

The entry fee was £9 for a pensioner!!! (not me I hasten to add!)

[THUNDERBOLT]

Now look here Pols I may be old but not that old!!!

[Catweazle]

Originally Posted by THUNDERBOLT

I think it is time we all put our weight behind the relocated Newport Museum at Cowes and maybe start some fund raising for them...
Mike

fekin good idea,they hold all our nelson archive.they even had the build certificate for my boat.

[THUNDERBOLT]

Right you lot...THE CLASSIC BOAT MUSEUM COWES..needs our help..they only have a five year lease on the current premises..then will have to move again..to somewhere else in Cowes! what a ridiculous state of affairs after all the business boat building brought to the Island and they still cannot celebrate their HERITAGE in a manner befitting our MARITIME NATION!???

THINKING CAPS ON EVERYONE LETS HAVE SOME IDEAS...and who we can Lobby to sort this out? they already have to my mind the perfect location and SEEDA should build on this not kick them out...
All genuine ideas accepted maybe a working party could be formed within interested clubs/individuals /whoever...lets get the ball rolling.

[Catweazle]

Local business shops etc need to be made aware of the importance of this musuem as far as tourist revenue is concerned i believe the military vehicle musuem has closed so they dont need to lose anymore.with the expansion of mooring etc on that side of the river in the future its the only place local for visiting boaters to go.I expect the developers have got plans for the site as usual.i supose visiting all the local shops etc and getting a signed pertition wouldnt hurt.Maybe some would allow a window sticker informing the locals of its plight.

[Marinautic]

Out of interest, how successful was Basildon as a museum. Did it close because it wasn't a viable business, or was there another reason?

[THUNDERBOLT]

Basildon closed for various reasons...firstly its location was not ideal!
visitor levels were low and it was not widely advertised.....exhibits were loaned and some not maintained due to funding...and GREEN issues were more important to the council than Boating especially Powerboats.

THERE REALLY IS ONLY ONE PLACE THAT A BOATING MUSEUM SHOULD BE AND THAT IS COWES.

Mike

[Marinautic]

But Cowes is a crap place to get to, surely somewhere on the mainland would be better, Southampton, Poole, Portsmouth etc?

[THUNDERBOLT]

Your right COWES is rapidly becoming very run down and neglected but there is the history that started there with many of the famous boat builders...and you are correct mainland would be the better proposition.. it will depend who is willing to establish a permanent location! otherwise collections will be broken up and lost forever Southampton would be a likely contender with so much old dock space available but it is the funding and getting industry involved whereas East Cowes site is semi established.

['A'speranziella]

Originally Posted by THUNDERBOLT
I think it is time we all put our weight behind the relocated Newport Museum at Cowes and maybe start some fund raising for them...
Mike

What a brilliant idea. They do an amazing job considering the limited funds.
I went to the Tank museum at Bovington this week, what an great day although my first thought was we are an Island nation wouldn't it be great to see a boat museum of the same calibre. Bovington is supported by the military.
Could the Navy support the CBM ? I believe they still have an interest in boats.

PS Thanks Mike for the THUNDERBOLT article on the Classic Offshore web site.
It's great for us newies to see that it can be achieved given the dedication and heart that these classics deserve.

Barry

[dejasouth]

Dadalus airfield,,lee on solent,,already has the hovercraft museum and they might be moving out anyway,,leaving a huge area for displays,,car park space and a huge slipway straight into the base! sorry new here just thought id throw a penny in :o)

[THUNDERBOLT]

Thanks for heads up on that site will certainly investigate

Mike

[dejasouth]

im not 100% on them moving, but i am a member there, tho non active,,but in one of there news letters a month or so ago there was talk of them going further up the coast, to where there is allready a small museum set up allready,,but there is so much spare space there,,it has to be seen to be believed :o)