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BLETCHLEY PARK: THE FUTURE PLAN

STATEMENT FROM THE BOARD OF THE BLETCHLEY PARK TRUST



22 May 2000

Strategic plan adopted and Trust objective confirmed

Trustees at Bletchley Park have now examined various proposals for the
future development of the site and have adopted a strategic plan whose
objective is:

'Bletchley Park will celebrate the development and impact of WWII
intelligence work, computing, and cryptography by creating a campus
dedicated to the science of communications and conveyed through four
domains - history, community, conference, and knowledge.'

250 year lease that will convert to freehold

The Bletchley Park Trust has completed a 250 year lease from British
Telecom and PACE (Property Advisers Civil Estate) for 28 acres at Bletchley
Park. The lease contains a clause that gives the Trust the automatic right
to a freehold at no extra cost. The Trust, which has been working closely
with Milton Keynes Council, strongly asserted the need for compatible
development on the remaining 30 acres for sale.



The Board of Trustees endorsed the following statements:

What was special about Bletchley Park?

'Bletchley Park during the Second World War seethed with life, intellectual
stimulus, individuality and eccentricity. It was a hotbed of revolutionary
thinking; ideas whose practical application in time of crisis preserved
freedoms, saved lives and changed the way the world communicated. The work
of Bletchley Park's pioneers secretly affected the fate of nations during
the course of the war and helped shorten it by at least two years. Since
then, millions of people have been influenced by what happened on and
beyond this site.'

The strength of Bletchley Park was its unique community

'Not just a sense of community, but a community of interest, united around
a mission to help bring about peace and to vanquish the enemies of freedom.
The community was meritocratic, especially in the context of the time.
People came from diverse backgrounds and what mattered was an ability to
struggle in pursuit of the aim, to take radical leaps of imagination, to
innovate; to be pioneering. Linguists, mathematicians, technologists,
logisticians, chess players, crossword experts, administrators,
technicians, builders, messengers, landladies, caterers and gardeners
played their part. The Bletchley Park community was itself part of a
national and international network of communities gathering and
interpreting information. It was the birthplace of the communications
revolution; the cradle of the knowledge age. It was a community that
changed the future.'


Basis of the new plan ñ leading role in heritage, regeneration and learning

'In two years' time, or even less, it will be very clear that heritage is
no longer a single end in itself, but a dynamic tool for social and
economic change. Bletchley Park is poised to capture this emerging agenda.
It aims to be among the first in a new development formula for heritage and
to play a leading role in the regeneration of Bletchley. By adopting these
strategic proposals, Bletchley Park will embody the virtues of access,
education, excellence and innovation. Its history provides the basis to
reach out to IT, telecommunications, media and educational communities of
all ages, backgrounds and nations.  In considering the strategic proposals,
the Trustís Board reaffirmed the importance of the communities at and
surrounding Bletchley Park; volunteers, special interest groups, and the
immediate neighbourhood.'

Wartime 'BP' will inspire a new future

ìThe story of Bletchley Park and its impact is in its own right sufficient
to illuminate the site. The thrust of the exhibitions on the site will be
to tell the story of wartime Bletchley Park in its fullest sense. The past
will become an inspiration for the future and for the development of
complementary activities on the site. Bletchley Park will use the power of
history and heritage to promote social harmony, build sustainability and
stimulate innovation for present and long-term benefit. The Board of the
Trust believes that no greater tribute could be paid to the history of
wartime Bletchley Park than by seeking to perpetuate its significance -
through new communities of interest and especially, as an incubator for the
talents of the new millenniumís generations.'

Support from HRH The Duke of Kent and Culture Secretary Chris Smith

HRH The Duke of Kent, Chief Patron of the Trust, said,

'I am encouraged to hear of the careful preparation that has gone in to
producing a strategic plan for the Trust. It is a mark of Bletchley Park's
progress that the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has
chosen to visit the Park and show his support on this important occasion.'

Next steps

The Trust will continue a process of consultation, initially with the
volunteers and special interest groups at Bletchley Park. It will then
finalise a programme of business planning and fundraising.



For information: Christine Large, Trust Director, T: +44 (0)7971 193546

Footnote: The Rt Hon Chris Smith MP, Secretary of State for the Department
of Culture, Media and Sport, visited Bletchley Park on the afternoon of 19
May 2000 in order to share his vision for the future of UK heritage and to
be updated about the Bletchley Park Trust's plans and progress. He was
accompanied by Dr Phyllis Starkey, MP for Milton Keynes South West.







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