Owners of historic Thames sailing barges based in Faversham, Kent, face competing demands of keeping vessels operational and appealing to visitors, while also maintaining their heritage and traditions.
Dr David Nettleingham, Lecturer in Cultural Sociology, interviewed several owners of Thames barges based in Faversham to understand the tensions that exist when trying to maintain an historic object and way of life in a modern setting and operating as a viable business.
The findings complement similar research done by Dr Nettleingham earlier in the year, published in The British Journal of Sociology, which examined the difficulties of trying to preserve the industrial past of Faversham and its shipyard where old Thames barges were often built or moored within its now rural setting.
David was interviewed about his research on BBC South East Today on Wednesday.
For further information see:
- University News Centre article
- Research article Heritage Work: The Preservations and Performances of Thames Sailing Barges in Cultural Sociology