But as far as what we deal with in our relationships and our team, it’s water under the bridge.”

Despite further, similar remarks, Mr Smith is still calling for his team to be awarded a contract to maintain and run it, claiming the museum should view the ownership row as "water under the bridge".

Mr Browne said 40 years is seen by some as a long period of time with "lots of water under the bridge".

“It’s all water under the bridge and now we’re back to work.”

Or to continue with that analogy, they consider it “water under the bridge,” to quote Schneider.