New Archive Opens
UK Director for the National Historic Ships UK Hannah Cunliffe was guest of honour for the opening of the new Society for Sailing Barge Research Archive unit at Fambridge Yacht Haven.
The new unit, now located within the marina, replaces the older unit previously located at the neighbouring Yacht Station.
With a new racking system and larger space to inspect archive material, the SSBR team have been working hard over the last few months to get the unit ready for opening. Particular credit to archivist and curate Don Wright for his countless hours, as well as Mark, Tim, Roger, John, Richard and friends of the Society.
Pictured with Hannah are SSBR Vice Chair Richard Walsh, archivist Don Wright & Chair Roger Newlyn.
About the SSBR
The society research and document the historic of Thames Sailing Barges, specifically along the East Coast. Founded in 1963 by former bargemen with a shared interest, the Society now preserve over 40,000 items at their North Fambridge archive.
The Society originally started due to a shared concern about the decline and possible extinction of the classic Thames Sailing Barge, and the feat that these historic crafts would disappear without record. Nowadays, Thames Sailing barges continue to play a role, plying their trades predominately along rivers and estuaries around the South East however thge majority are used for charters and events compared to their early life as hardworking haulage and transport vessels.
Records in the Archive are available for inspection or for research purposes. Please contact Don Wright to make an appointment. His email address is:- saltcotebelle@gmail.com
