There follow two recent items from the Bletchley Park website
(http://www.bletchleypark.org.uk/press.htm) which may be of interest.

  [Ms Large does not know a lot about crucibles, it seems.]


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June 10 1999

       NO WHITE KNUCKLE RIDES AT BLETCHLEY PARK

       The World War 2 intelligence work, computing and cryptography at
Bletchley Park provides a unique basis for keeping the past alive by
linking it with the future. Bletchley Park was, said Bletchley Park Trust
chief executive Christine Large, "the crucible in which modern
communications technology was forged."

       Bletchley Park of the future could be called the world's first
Communications Heritage Park, but it would be a Park with a theme, not a
'theme park'.

       "There will be no white knuckle rides at Bletchley Park", said
Christine Large, "we have had enough of a white knuckle ride negotiating
the deal which, after seven years, secures Bletchley Park for the nation."
The main thrust of the heritage park plan will be:

              Heritage Zone - a celebration of Bletchley Park's
achievements,  how it worked during the war and a look into the future of
communications technology
              Conference Zone - with a media centre and other resources to
attract industry specialists academic users and others who wish to enjoy
the special environment

              Community Zone - providing children's resources and social
facilities for volunteers and local people, with a company that will train
and employ disadvantaged citizens

              Knowledge Zone - designed to appeal to organisations in
business and education whose presence will rekindle technological
innovation at Bletchley Park.

       Over the next twelve months, a full development and implementation
plan will be researched in conjunction with the Park's stakeholders and in
tandem with the fundraising programme. Meanwhile Bletchley Park will
continue to be open to visitors - about 70% up on the same time last year -
and to run its popular non-residential conference facilities. Bletchley
Park's reputation is believed to be likely to attract companies which see
potential for enriching their corporate image and brands. The Trust expects
to establish strategic alliances with leaders in telecommunications,
computing, media education and leisure to help preserve and develop the
site.

       Mid-way between Oxford and Cambridge, Bletchley Park has other
higher education connections including Cranfield, the Open University and
De Montfort and Milton Keynes College. The site is well connected to the
motor and rail networks and the east-west rail link will further improve
communications.

       The area's population is projected to grow rapidly and it currently
comprise a high proportion of young families. Bletchley Park is seen as an
early catalyst in the process of regenerating Bletchley and identifying it
with the economic success of Milton Keynes.

       On May 27, the Trust announced that it will establish a new Trust
board to drive forward the development plan. Sir Philip Duncombe, who has
led the Trust through a period of intensive change, was appointed the new
chairman and Lord Balfour of Burleigh, a former chairman of the Scottish
Arts Council and the Turing Institute, has joined existing trustee Sir
Edward Tomkins on Sir Philip's appointments committee.

       For information: Christine Large, chief executive, Bletchley Park
Trust. Tel +44 (0)1908 647269/631129

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June 10 1999

       SEVEN YEARS' NEGOTIATION PRODUCE FEELGOOD
       DEAL FOR BLETCHLEY PARK

       Bletchley Park, home of the WW2 codebreakers and the world's first
electronic programmable computer has been saved for the nation in a deal
that concludes seven years' negotiation.

       Bletchley Park chairman Sir Philip Duncombe announced the news in
Bletchley Park's D Block, the intelligence-gathering centre for D-Day
planning, just four days after the 55th Anniversary of the Normandy
landings. He said, "This is probably the most sensitive information
Bletchley Park has communicated since the last war, though not quite as
secret as messages being decoded during World War 2. We have been reminded
of an expression used at Bletchley Park when the very first German Naval
code or 'job' was broken: the announcement was "The Job's up" which is
appropriate today - 'The Job's up' for Bletchley Park Trust with the help
of BT and PACE.

       Dr Phyllis Starkey, MP for Milton Keynes South-West, said, "As local
member of Parliament I have always been very proud of the contribution made
by Bletchley Park to the victory against fascism in the Second World War
and its role in the development of modern computer technology. The
Bletchley Park Trust, backed up by the work of hundreds of volunteers, and
supported by the local community, have ensured that this historic site has
been safeguarded. Today's announcement is excellent news and it means that
the Trust can progress its plans to make Bletchley Park a living memorial
of which Bletchley, Milton Keynes and Britain can be proud."

       Councillor Kevin Wilson, Leader of Milton Keynes Council said that,
"Milton Keynes is delighted that this important heritage site can be
preserved and developed. It is extremely exciting and I look forward to the
day when it is attracting large numbers of visitors from all over the world
who are able not only to marvel at the important historical contribution
made by Bletchley Park and the people who worked there, but also how that
pioneering work has and continues to shape the modern world of
communications. It will certainly put Bletchley and Milton Keynes on the
map."

       Around half the total site will be acquired by the Trust in a 250
year lease from co-owners PACE, the government land agency and British
Telecom. The Trust will be able to use existing and new buildings for
wide-ranging activities that support the Trust's objective of, "a living
memorial to WW2 intelligence work, computing and cryptography, through the
creation of an integrated heritage park of international repute. With an
overall theme of the science of communications, the Park will comprise four
zones covering heritage, conference, community and knowledge."

       * PACE = Property Advisers to the Civil Estate

       The formula will allow the Trust to use parts of the site to raise
essential money to fund its preservation and development plans, but the
land owners may share any "windfall" profits. After 25 years, the freehold
of its land will automatically pass to the Trust, whose holding is entirely
within the existing Conservation area and includes the key historic
buildings.

       The capital cost of the land is to be repaid by the Trust over three
years and a major fundraising programme to finance acquisition and
development costs is underway. An early priority will be to stabilise and
preserve important heritage. £1.5 million is needed to kickstart the
development plans.

       Trust chief executive Christine Large, who led the Trust's
negotiating team, acknowledged that British Telecom and PACE had agreed
preferential terms with the Trust and thanked the land owners for so
conscientiously balancing their financial obligations with responsibility
to the community and the national interest. "However", she said, "Bletchley
Park has so far received no grants or substantial external funding. We will
not achieve the Trust's aim unless money is forthcoming from public,
private and commercial sources who believe, as we do, that Bletchley Park
can be a landmark of political, psychological and technological importance
to the generations of the new millennium. This deal is a beginning, not the
end."

       For information : Christine Large, chief executive, Bletchley Park
Trust. Tel. +44 (0)1908 647269/631129




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