Coachlines - November 2025

28.11.25 Freeman David Barzilay

Bluebird K7 – a Coachmakers’ success

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Pictured from left: Clerk Lt Col Craig Hallatt, Carmen Immediate Past Master Leon Daniels OBE, Past Master Julian Leach, Honorary Assistant Richard Robinson, Dame Susan Langley DBE, Don Wales, Peter Hulme, Director of the Ruskin Museum Tracy Hodgson, Freeman David Barzilay, Mayoral Consort Gary Langley and Junior Warden Eric Wallbank with Bluebird. Photo by Niklas Hallen from @ Dare & Hier Media.

As someone famously said: “it will be alright on the night” or in our case on the day – and it was.

The inclusion of Bluebird into the Lady Mayor’s Show, along with the Surbiton Royal British Legion Youth Marching Band, and a 100-year-old Dennis bus courtesy of the Worshipful Company of Carmen, could have been a logistical nightmare. But it was not, thanks to teamwork from a large number of organisations.

Moving something as big as Bluebird K7 from its home at the Ruskin Museum in Cumbria was a huge challenge, especially when we decided that we should take it to Mansion House and show it to the Lady Mayor of London, Dame Susan Langley DBE, shortly before she went to the ‘silent ceremony’ to take office.

That meant the lorry and its escort had to be in London the night before. But where could we store 28 tons of lorry and boat more than 14 feet high, and considered a wide-load by many police forces throughout the land?

The hunt for its overnight resting spot was on. It went from Guildhall Yard to the car park at a well-known insurance company, to several livery companies and Honorary Assistant David Barrett even came up with The Old Bailey, but each were rejected for a variety of reasons.

It became critical with only a few days to go, and concern if not panic, was starting to grip the team, then the Carmen spoke to the City of London Corporation’s City Surveyor’s Department. They came up with the yard it uses for its refuse vehicles in Bell Wharf Lane close to the Little Ship Club. But the truck with K7 on board would not fit through the gates. Fortunately, it could sit outside and under cover and another problem was solved. K7 was looked after by the watchful eyes of Robert Kelly and Allen Dingley from the City Surveyor’s Department for her overnight stay.

On Friday morning 7th November it was due to move at 9.30am to go to Mansion House to be inspected by Dame Susan Langley DBE. Not far to go but how much time to allow, and could we have a police outrider escort? The City of London Police wanted to oblige but was extremely busy and unable to help.

So once again the lorry set off under its own direction with Ruskin Museum Director Tracy Hodgson riding shotgun in a small white van trying to get traffic to slow down and keep London buses from crashing into a British icon.

A pre-booked parking space outside Mansion House was full of contractors’ vehicles, but once again the Corporation and the team at Mansion House, including Deputy Head of Operations & Deputy Keeper David Lamb stepped in so the lorry and its precious load was ready for inspection.

Then it was off to Grand Avenue in Smithfield after a call saying, “You have to be there at 1pm.” I know how the Pageant Master works and his requirement for precision. So, allowing for traffic we made it by three minutes past. Again, not bad going, and thanks to help from police on the way and marshalls once we arrived.

Next, we were off to the drivers’ briefing with lorry driver Adam Farrell from Steeles Removals, Director of the Ruskin Museum Tracy Hodgson, and Honorary Assistant Richard Robinson, who was in charge of the float.

Pageant Master Dominic Reid was very clear about how he wanted his parade to work, and told us that last year in 2024 the whole show came within 45 seconds of what had been planned. We were under no illusion as to what was required.

Then it was back to the hotel, headquarters of the Bluebird team, and a call from the BBC to say that we would be interviewed at 9am on Saturday morning. We had to be at the end of Noble Street (where our former Hall was situated before being destroyed in the Blitz) no later than 08.45am. Over the next few hours the time of the interview changed three times. But one thing was clear, we had to be in Smithfield to meet our military marshall not later than 07.30am.

He turned out to be a CPO from the Royal Navy called Jonathan Carey. We could not have wished for a more friendly or helpful representative from the Royal Navy. He was a fantastic ambassador for the Senior Service and went out of his way to see that everything went smoothly and everyone was having a good time.

The morning of the show dawned dry thankfully and we were asked to move immediately to Noble Street. The bus was to follow and we would be inserted into the parade behind the band in Aldersgate Street, just before the parade was to move off.

When we arrived there was nobody to guide us but with Johnny’s help we found our slot and I think were the first in the street. There was then a long wait for the procession to start but this was taken up with the Coachmakers welcoming hundreds of people who had come to see Bluebird, and facilitating an interview between Tina Daheley from the BBC, Don Wales, Malcolm Campbell’s grandson and Donald’s nephew who was accompanied by Peter Hulme, also a nephew of Donald. Gina Campbell’s partner, Brian Eastham was also on hand to welcome well-wishers along with Tracy and museum Board of Trustees Chairman Jeff Carroll, and his wife Janette.

We were slightly late in moving off after the driver of a bus, not ours, was not in place to move his.

As we drew alongside the Bank of England the band struck up with our Clerk, Lt Col Craig Hallatt’s music, which he composed to celebrate Bluebird. This was the first time it has been played in public. It was an emotional moment and not lost on Campbell family members, including Gina Campbell, Donald’s daughter, who was watching the show on television from her home in Southport.

Bluebird and our float got a tremendous welcome, evidenced by the enthusiasm of the crowds along the route and the number of people who came to see her during our lunch stop, where a wonderful repast was provided by Honorary Assistant Richard Robinson.

 

It was a great event and one I think we should all be proud of. It truly was a team effort, and I know how grateful the Ruskin Museum and the family were for our efforts, and they have asked me to pass on their thanks. Bluebird sponsors have also expressed their gratitude.

I know there was some disappointment that Bluebird was not mentioned as part of the commentary, but I can assure you this had been planned by the BBC, but due the late running of the show their scheduling went wrong and we suffered as a result.

There is no doubt that Bluebird K7 was the star of the show. We pulled off a real coup and made lots of new friends. We worked with the Lady Mayor, the City of London Corporation, City of London police and many other organisations and they all appreciated it.

Hats off to everyone who helped make this happen.