Our Artistic Programme

Cultural, active and community events in healthy river environments. Accessible by all, enjoyed by all.

Explore our Programme

Reflections Sing for Water Thames Lens Tide Changers Totally Thames Other artistic projects...

Our Education Programme

Inspiring the next generation of river ambassadors. Our creative education programme helps children and young people to connect and learn about rivers, creating work inspired by its culture, community and ecology.

Explore our Programme

Kids' Choir River of Hope Rivers of the World The Story of Water Other education projects...

Heritage Programme

Our Heritage Programme

Unearthing and reconnecting local communities to the river's rich history and cultural importance.

Explore our Programme

A Voyage Through Time Foragers of the Foreshore London's Lost Village Places of Change The Islanders Other heritage projects...

About Us

About Our Charity

What makes us tick and the people who make it happen.

Find out more

Our History Our Team Our Vision Join our Team

Read, Watch & Listen

Home
Read, Watch & Listen
Life Afloat: Go through the porthole...

Life Afloat: Go through the porthole...

Thu 23rd Jun 2016

It is estimated that over a thousand people live afloat on the Thames between Teddington Lock and the Thames Barrier. These floating villages have a rich and, until now, untold history. Based on photography, archive research and oral history interviews, this exhibition draws together the past and the present, tracking the evolution of houseboat life on one of the world’s most vibrant rivers.

Film made by digital:works, Sav Kyriacou and Matthew Rosenberg with Benen Whitworth, Bethany Mickleburgh, Chris Conway, Clare Brosnan, Fiona Clague, Hilary Prosser, Ilaria Vignolo, Katherine Fawssett, Linda Williams, Margaux Fisher, Margo Conway, Marios Falaris, Megan Laws, Natalie Garland, Richard Drew, Sharada Osman, Silvia Pergetti, Tingfeng Yan and Yishan Xie.

Produced by Totally Thames, Anna Coombes & Adrian Evans.

Additional Footage from Aashish Ghadvi for digital:works.

Archive Footage from John Fletcher.

Images: Kensington & Chelsea Local Studies & Archives, Hammersmith and Fulham Archives & Local Studies, Hounslow Local Studies Service and the interviewees.

Music by Bloch Eyot from the Magic Folkgrass album featuring Above the Storms, Thames Upstream and Long Highway.

Commissioned by Thames Festival Trust

Watch the Film

Play

Supported by:

More videos...

Sing for Water 2023

Although we didn't have a flagship Sing for Water event in London this year we did have lots of local events across the country which have raised over…

Watch

Boat Poets: Tributary by Tatenda Naomi Matsvai

Watch the new Boat Poets video and download the brochure.

Watch

Docu-series: Week #5 / Kingston upon Thames

Kingston Museum curator Ruth Brimacombe and artist Lindsay Russell show take us onto the river to talk about 'Creative Flow: Kingston, Art and The River'.

Watch

Nano-chats: Liquid Plant @ Totally Thames 2023

Ayah from Voice speaks to Chiara and Daniela about Liquid Planet, an interactive media installation that showcases the beauty and fragility of Earth through…

Watch