The Ruskin Museum Collection

However, it would be hard for my family to find a more dedicated supporter. Not only has Vicky and her team gone cap in hand twice to The National Lottery Board for funding. (And twice been turned away.) But Vicky, the local council and loyal Consiton residents, have raised the money themselves to design and build the new Bluebird Wing.

Why, you might ask, was national funding not forthcoming? To the minds of my family and friends alike, Coniston deserves a museum of national status to remember my father Donald. Thanks to local efforts alone, that's now what we've got. So heartfelt gratitude to all who donated to build the new extension.

And what a remarkable job the designer has done. Light, bright and spacious, the new wing houses the Campbell collection in hand-crafted cabinets with metal rivets, there are hand-forged seats (to mirror elements of K7's design) and a huge A/V display to present film footage.

It's a fantastic resource for Campbell Bluebird enthusiasts, schoolchildren, English Lake District visitors and fans of British sporting achievements. I hope you will visit and enjoy the museum as much as I do, so perhaps I'll see you there soon?”