digital:works Podcast

An Oral History of Boatyard Workers on the Tidal Thames. In Episode two we explore the skills, pride and joy, as well as the pain of working on boats; the business of running a boatyard; their decline on the Thames and the future of those that remain. The Thames has been the lifeblood of London since Roman times. And boats that have plied its waters have been built and maintained by skilled worker...

An Oral History of Boatyard Workers on the Tidal Thames. Episode one covers apprenticeships and the early days. The Thames has been the lifeblood of London since Roman times. And boats that have plied its waters have been built and maintained by skilled workers since then. We have interviewed workers that have worked in various boatyards along the river from the Thames Barrier in the East to Teddi...

An Oral History of the Thames Lightermen Episode 3 reveals why they were called The Weekend Millionaires, the role of the Union in their working lives and the gradual decline of the working river. The profession has employed generations of Londoners with the lightermen carrying cargo and the watermen carrying passengers. Whilst the trade for watermen dwindled with the construction of bridges, the...

An Oral History of the Thames Lightermen   Episode 2 follows the lightermen as they become freemen of the River Thames and of the skills, joy, trials and tribulations of their working lives. The profession has employed generations of Londoners with the lightermen carrying cargo and the watermen carrying passengers. Whilst the trade for watermen dwindled with the construction of bridges, the lighte...

An Oral History of the Thames Lightermen Episode 1 explores the family history of Lightermen going back many generations, how they came afloat and the ups and downs of their apprenticeships. The profession has employed generations of Londoners with the lightermen carrying cargo and the watermen carrying passengers. Whilst the trade for watermen dwindled with the construction of bridges, the lighte...

An Oral History of London Bus Workers Episode 3 explores some of the bus routes, garages and the social life around them. It also takes a look at the role of women workers, the unions and privatisation.  -- An oral history of the workers on the iconic London Bus, exploring the lives of drivers, conductors, cleaners, mechanics and inspectors.  From the iconic RT and Routemaster buses to the current...

An Oral History of London Bus Workers Episode 1 explores the reasons people came to work on the buses, their recruitment and training and the work of the bus conductor. -- An oral history of the workers on the iconic London Bus, exploring the lives of drivers, conductors, cleaners, mechanics and inspectors.  From the iconic RT and Routemaster buses to the current one-person-operated buses, London...

An Oral History of London Bus Workers Episode 2 explores the working life of bus drivers, inspectors and engineers, as well as the buses themselves.  -- An oral history of the workers on the iconic London Bus, exploring the lives of drivers, conductors, cleaners, mechanics and inspectors.  From the iconic RT and Routemaster buses to the current one-person-operated buses, London bus workers tell th...

An Oral History of London's Evacuees Operation Pied Piper was the name of the plan designed to evacuate children from areas at risk from bombing and invasion. On 31st August 1939, three days before war broke out, an evacuation order was given for the next day and what followed was a massive logistical operation to move people to areas of safety. In the following three days an estimated 1.5 mi...

An Oral History of London's Evacuees Operation Pied Piper was the name of the plan designed to evacuate children from areas at risk from bombing and invasion. On 31st August 1939, three days before war broke out, an evacuation order was given for the next day and what followed was a massive logistical operation to move people to areas of safety. In the following three days an estimated 1.5 mi...

An Oral History of London's Evacuees Operation Pied Piper was the name of the plan designed to evacuate children from areas at risk from bombing and invasion. On 31st August 1939, three days before war broke out, an evacuation order was given for the next day and what followed was a massive logistical operation to move people to areas of safety. In the following three days an estimated 1.5 mi...