As we are involved in an on-going situation to bring Invincible home, I thought that I would bring you up-to-date with are Campaign. I first got in touch with the MOD in August 2005 after visiting the Invincible on the 26^th July 2005 in North Shields, Tyne Side. It saddened me to see that our very own ship was able to sail to the Tyne for her last visit and yet not once returned to the town that built her. I have been collaborating with the MOD for six moths now, and was even told by there press office that I could visit Invincible to see for myself the present state of the ship. I was sent a letter dated the 26^th October 2005 from the MOD that the Ship was not fit for visitors and yet, just six days prior to this some of the ex -crew members visited the ship and were shown around. You can see pictures of this in the “Invincible Gallery” section on this Website.

There have been petition forms sent to the MOD signed by the people of Barrow-in-Furness and these will continue to be sent to people who I feel could help this campaign. I have received many letters for the MOD in the last six months, none of them giving me a satisfactory reason as to why Invincible should not come back to Barrow-in-Furness for a visit.

HMS Ark Royal and HMS Illustrious who were built at Swan Hunters on the Tyne have in fact sailed back home again for a visit as well as the Invincible. It is clear that the Tyne has been able to play host to the Carriers that they built on more than one occasion. I confronted the MOD about this, to which I had another unsatisfactory reply that never explained the reasons for their visits. I do know for a fact, that during these visits, the carriers were open to the public at some stage and therefore it is only fair that our very own carrier should be open to the public in Barrow-in-Furness.

I have also sent letters and Campaign sheets to the Government and continue to do so, and I still await more letters from the MOD. I have had lots of help from people over the last few months in our bid to get Invincible home again.

Early in 2005, I sent an email to the MOD asking when HMS Invincible was to be decommissioned and was told 2010 which was originally stated, thus meaning that there was plenty of time for the Ship to pay a visit to Barrow. Then, without any notification, HMS Invincible was to be brought from service earlier than expected and was decommissioned on the 3^rd August 2005, having paid her last visit to the Tyne once again. Barrow-in-Furness was not included in the 25 year celebrations of Invincible.

The years given for the decommissioning of the Carriers are found in this link below: as stated by the House of Commons.

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2004-01-30.150871.h

So with Campaign sheets and letters and much collaboration with the Government, we will continue to do our best to try and bring Invincible home for a visit. I will keep you posted on any future information that I receive. If you feel that you would like to support our Campaign then we would love for you to do so, on the “add your support” link on this Website. We would be very grateful for your time.

HMS Invincible was decommissioned on the 3^rd August 2005. After serving 25 years with the Royal Navy, Invincible is now placed into a low state of readiness, and will stay with the Royal Navy for the next 4 years until 2010 where her fate will be decided, being berthed at Portsmouth Naval Base, her "Official Naval Port" but not her "Home Port" which is Barrow-in-Furness.

Click here to Learn more about HMS Invincible