But as in any other walk of life, it is sad to see a long-cherished dream go unfulfilled.

BBC: No dream ending for Fleming

The engine is for the Skylon project, an ambitious scheme for a craft that would realise a long-cherished dream: to fly non-stop from airport to cosmos.

BBC: Skylon: A British dream of space

The Lib Dems have faced an onslaught of voter anger over the past year, over the U-turn on tuition fees and support for spending cuts - and saw a long-cherished dream of changing the UK voting system dashed, when the AV referendum resulted in a resounding "no" from the electorate.

BBC: Nick Clegg warns of 'long, hard road' on economy

Mr Turner has cherished his dream of ferrying pilgrims at Sangam since 1989, when as a 21-year-old backpacker in India he visited that year's Kumbh festival.

BBC: Kumbh Mela festival