Barge Exhibition at Ware

Richard Walsh, SSBR Vice Chairman, writes:-

An exhibition entitled “From Ware to the Sea – The History of Sailing Barges”

Lady of the Lea taking part in the 2010 Thames Barge Match

opens at Ware Museum (SG12 9AL) on 6th May for 9 weeks.    I have pulled this together with the help of SSBR colleagues and others, in my spare time, when not organising this year’s Mark Boyle Memorial Thames Sailing Barge Match on 13th July, finishing at Erith for the first time in 117 years!

The exhibition conveys a brief history of the genre; details spritsail barges built in Ware; looks illustratively at ownership, crews, destinations and cargoes; the Henry Dodd Barge Match history; the anatomy of a barge; a 1:24 scale model of SB Kathleen with her history time-line in words and pictures; barge construction and sail making with the tools of both these skills on display; and the model of SB Lady of the Lea from the London Canal Museum.

Ware Museum is an independent museum run by volunteers and supported by Ware Town Council, East Herts District Council and the Ware Society.          Entry is free but a donation of £2.00 is suggested.

Ware Museum,   The Priory Lodge,   89 High Street,   Ware,   Hertfordshire,   SG12 9AL.

Opening times:-       Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday     from 11.00am to 4.00pm.

                                   Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays                  from 2.00pm to 4.00pm.

Tel:   01920 487848        www.waremuseum.org.uk        Registered Charity No. 295169