Is Wittering her new home?

[Mayfly]

Most of the big fora have said much the same over the last couple of weeks - what I don't understand is why some find the speculation so irritating, at least they are not having pop at someone about 558!!

[Old Rigger]

Possibly because like a lot of speculation over previous years on various things 558 it could still be under negotiation or confidential and it will be posted on the web page when it has been finalised and sent out in the newsletters.

[RLN]

Thanks, OR. People, by nature, will find something to moan about.

[Mayfly]

Also by nature you will not stop speculation and so far its all been light hearted chit chat.

[Old Rigger]

Should of added having read the newsletter that they need fuel for the move or 558 will not fly, so announcing her new home might appear a bit premature if she cannot fly to wherever it is, unless I have also misread and joined the speculators in error:

During the first week in April, less than two weeks away, we will decide if XH558 can continue to fly, owned by a charity for the British people. What do we need to raise each month to survive?

£75,000 by the end of March

£125,000 by the end of April

£150,000 by the end of May

£350,000 in total

So far, we have received just £37,145, leaving us the challenging task of raising £37,855 in the last week of March.

[Mayfly]

I must admit I raised an eye brow when I read it - I think it's the most hard hitting for request for funding I seen.

[RLN]

Bum

[Xplumberlives]

I wonder what will be blamed this time!

[RLN]

Probably lack of donations.

[MrTim]

I speculate that the more speculating there is, the more spectacularly speculative the speculation will become.

[PhantomAviator]

Should of added having read the newsletter that they need fuel for the move or 558 will not fly, so announcing her new home might appear a bit premature if she cannot fly to wherever it is, unless I have also misread and joined the speculators in error:

During the first week in April, less than two weeks away, we will decide if XH558 can continue to fly, owned by a charity for the British people. What do we need to raise each month to survive?

£75,000 by the end of March

£125,000 by the end of April

£150,000 by the end of May

£350,000 in total

So far, we have received just £37,145, leaving us the challenging task of raising £37,855 in the last week of March.

Nothing new in the fund raising then, I think that Mr and Mrs Jo Public have heard this sort of thing so many times, they assume that the shinies on their bums will no doubt do the normal announcement.
Like I have said before to leave things until the last minute is bad management, it hasn't changed since the project began and I don't think it will in the future.
They must have known that they had fuel cost problems at the end of the last season so why spring it 2 weeks before the deadline to look for funding.
Sorry my pocket is now empty with regards to charity.
Except for meaningful one's that is.

[Old Rigger]

In all fairness if anyone was a 558 club member and logged in and then searched the forum I vaguely remember something being mentioned about a change in fundraising tactics,i.e. the promised visible business plan, but only recently has it appeared within the public area and in newsletters, but the last minute panic approach has been succesfull so why change a winning strategy after all these years and by next weeks newsletter we will hear all about the cracking response to this appeal and last minute saviour of the day, but I am just a right cynical git in my old age.

[Gully]

Starting a £350k appeal in February with an end of May deadline is hardly last-minute IMO. Hanging the funds on pegs - insurance, fuel etc. - is a new and good initative as far as I'm concerned. Contributing to the fuel appeal even gains you a limited edition t-shirt - another nice touch.

However, from the latest newsletter it is apparent that the slow-burn appeal is not realising the hoped for results and so monthly targets have been introduced to inject a sense of urgency... All seems fair to me: it's what charities do. People need to remember that the appealed-for amounts are to supplement the income secured / identified by the Trust from other sources.

Gully

[Dan4th]

Hi, Gully.........

Seeing as you would probably know, what is
the deal with VATs on 558's fuel costs?

It seems to me that she ought to be exempt
from all that.

I would also think the fuel supplier should be
cutting some slack due to current record profits.

Just curious, but these questions have been on
my mind recently......

And while I'm at it, thanks for all your good works
on behalf of this old crate. I doubt you get thanked
very often!

Dan4th

[Gully]

Hi Dan4th,

Great to see the Token Murkin lurkin' around the fora once more!

As far as I'm aware, the only VAT change (the exemption that has been removed from '558) affects servicing / maintenance and parts. VAT on fuel (and all the other applicable duties) has always been due, irrespective of whether the fuel's been bought from a commercial supplier or from the MoD. I recall BP supplying 'sponsored' fuel for the test flights stage and possibly part of 2008, but their logo's presence on the VTTS website has diminished somewhat, so I can only assume that their involvement has correspondingly reduced.

And thank you for the 'thank you'! Most of the 'work' is good fun!

Gully

[Dan4th]

Thanks for your quick reply!

Even so, it seems to me that VATs on ANY of
558's maintenance and supplies is an unwarranted
handicap and hardship.

It's like saying: "FLY! FLY! FLY!" and then tying
a 20,000 pound weight to her leg!

Just the thoughts of an insane, demented Murkin
3,000 miles away.......

I guess Justice is only a Concept here or there.

Dan4th

[Sooty655]

I'm no expert, but I believe the VAT change on fuel is that it used to be charged at 5%. It has now gone up to the national rate of 20%, except for certain exemptions for which 558 probably doesn't qualify.

[Old Rigger]

hi Gully in all fairness I was talking about this bit:

During the first week in April, less than two weeks away, we will decide if XH558 can continue to fly, owned by a charity for the British people. What do we need to raise each month to survive?

and this bit

So far, we have received just £37,145, leaving us the challenging task of raising £37,855 in the last week of March

I was trying to be more up beat, with the exception of partially quoting someone from last year who said bad news sells and the fact that the above was a bit of a short sharp shock that the prevous newsletters gave no hint of, knew it was a mistake to decide to post again so I will leave all things Vulcan to those who still have the passion for it and a better understanding of her finances.

I also do not need reminding it is a charity.

[Dan4th]

Who is it that determines such things??????????

What Agency or Ministry???????

Just let me know, and I'll send Guido and Vinny
around in the Black Cadillac!!!!!!!!!

"Ay, Mistuh Limey-Talk! We want you should
come take a little RIDE widdus....s'about dis
PLANE you guys got ovuh here..."

Problem SOLVED!

Danf.

[Jigsaw]

Send them round to 10 and 11 Downing Street D4th. It isn't only the Vulcan that needs lower fuel costs mate

[PhantomAviator]

Starting a £350k appeal in February with an end of May deadline is hardly last-minute IMO. Hanging the funds on pegs - insurance, fuel etc. - is a new and good initative as far as I'm concerned. Contributing to the fuel appeal even gains you a limited edition t-shirt - another nice touch.

However, from the latest newsletter it is apparent that the slow-burn appeal is not realising the hoped for results and so monthly targets have been introduced to inject a sense of urgency... All seems fair to me: it's what charities do. People need to remember that the appealed-for amounts are to supplement the income secured / identified by the Trust from other sources.

Gully

It wasn't the £350,000 fund raising I was having a go at, it was the point that they then stress that if they do not get the funds for the fuel that she would not be flying to her new home this year.
They is ways and means of fund raising and they seem to paint over the neccessary's until the last moment.
The next announcement will obviously be the same, 'Unless we get X by Y this will be the result'.

If they were to be up front not only with Jo Public but all the supporters then people donating could make better plans.

It follows the scenario of even though I know I have to pay my car tax before the end of April, I won't bother looking for how to pay it until the day before.
Then wonder why it has lapsed before it is renewed.

[Gully]

Send them round to 10 and 11 Downing Street D4th. It isn't only the Vulcan that needs lower fuel costs mate

Too right! Memorable day weekend before last when it cost £80 to fill up my bog standard estate car!!

@ Sooty - you may well be right regarding VAT: you chaps buy more aviation fuel than I do!!

Gully

[Sploosher]

Just found this on the VTTS site.

The guy that runs Wave at RAF Waddington has put this on the fighter control forum :arrow: The press have been asked to go to Doncaster for 11am to set up and my reporter friend expects XH558 to arrive at approximately 13.00hrs[/quote]

If they guy at the Waddington WAVE knows that 558 is expected to arrive at 13:00 hours, then it CANT be that much of a secret :o

That gives me a time to aim for, and if this info IS correct, then I will be one very happy bunny indeed........

[PhantomAviator]

I will answer my original question (per thread title).

NO IT AIN'T!!!!

[Xplumberlives]

I will answer my original question (per thread title).

NO IT AIN'T!!!!

INDEED it isn't, I do hope they don't come to regret their decision!