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Until 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales (analogue) was known simply as BBC Two Wales. BBC Two Wales (digital) was BBC 2W. From 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales schedules on both analogue and digital became identical

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Britain Afloat

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A history of the British people told through six of its best-loved boats.

Mary-Ann Ochota discovers a history of the British people told through six of its best-loved boats.

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Formerly part of a wider BBC One South East region. Separated as BBC One London 2001-09-03 following reorganisation of the South East region.

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Mary-Ann Ochota

Andy Richards

Ed Barlow

Diana Hare

Britain Afloat: Thames Barge

The Thames Barge

Thames Barge

BBC One - Britain Afloat, Thames Barge

Mary Ann Ochota discovers the boat that helped build London – the Thames Sailing Barge.

Mary Ann Ochota discovers the boat that helped build Victorian London and played an important part at Dunkirk – The Thames Barge.

Mary-Ann Ochota discovers the story of the Thames Sailing Barge – a boat that played a key part in London’s history, transporting goods and building materials up the Thames from Victorian times up to the early part of the 20th century. 

By meeting enthusiasts, current owners and one of the last surviving bargemen, Mary-Ann learns how the barge was designed specifically for the waters and conditions it would be sailing in – the mast lowers to go under London’s bridges and the sails are high enough to catch the wind even in the most built up of areas. Famously though, the barges were once put to sail in alien conditions: they were commandeered to play a part in the evacuation of Dunkirk in 1940. 

There are still about 30 of these boats on the water – once there were more than 2,000 – though nowadays the emphasis is very much on pleasure, something Mary-Ann experiences for herself when she joins the annual Thames Barge match.

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