Another slap in the face for Bletchley Park

The government has turned down an e-petition signed by 22,000 to 'save Bletchey Park.'
By Nicole Kobie, 27 Aug 2009

The government has again turned down calls for funding for Bletchley Park, the home of wartime codebreaking and other UK milestones in computing history.

The site has been struggling for cash for years. Last year, the site faced closure if it couldn’t raise enough funds to fix its roof.

Earlier this year, Darren McGuicken posted an e-petition on the government’s site, asking the Prime Minister to “save Bletchley Park”.

“Please do not allow this crucial piece of both British and World culture to disappear,” wrote McGuicken. “If ever an example were needed of Britain leading the world, this surely would be it. To allow it to fall into the hands of developers would be simply unconscionable.”

His argument – and the signatures of 21,920 others – didn’t sway the government, however.

“The Government agrees that the buildings on the Bletchley Park site are of significant historic importance and, although recognising the excellent work being carried out there, at present it has no plans, nor the resources, to extend its sponsorship of museums and galleries beyond the present number,” the government said in a written statement.

It noted that Bletchley Park has already won a £330,000 grant from English Heritage and another worth £600,000 from Milton Keynes council. While it has previously been refused a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the site has reapplied this year.

Earlier this year, Baroness McIntosh filed an early day motion in the House of Lords asking for financial help for the historical site, but the plea was refused, much to the disapointment of Bletchley's supporters.