by Crispin Whiting

cwhiting@thekmgroup.co.uk

Squeezing a fine history of sailing barges and the people who built and traded in them into a 49-minute film was always going to be a challenge.

But Red Sails, the new DVD from Countrywide Productions has been billed as a remarkable effort by Faversham director and producer Michael Maloney.

The story of barges and bargemen combines interviews and some extraordinary archive footage and the fascinating story is woven around the restoration of the Cambria, one of the most famous Thames barges.

Mr Maloney, 65, has worked in television and corporate programming since the 1980s and has made pieces for the BBC, Channel 4 and the National Trust.

Having moved to Faversham Creek 10 years ago he became fascinated with the passing Thames barges and decided he wanted to create a film looking at their history and existence on our waterways.

He said: "It was a very enjoyable project and I met some delightful and fantastic people. The topic was something I was very interested in investigating and hopefully I have done it justice.

"Everyone I interviewed was hugely talented and friendly and it is a real tribute to the first person I interviewed bargeman Don Sattin, who sadly passed away before having the chance to watch it.

"There has been some great feedback, which makes all the hard work well worth it."

Red Sails costs £15 and will be available at the New Royal showing on Wednesday, December 7, at 1pm, and afterwards at local outlets including the Fleur de Lis heritage centre. Admission to the screening is free and everyone will be welcome.

For the full story and review pick up a copy of this week’s Faversham News.