The latest chapter in our Open Bridges project is ‘Goole by Barge‘. The exhibition of 60 photographs and three videos and music documenting our two day journey on the working barge, the George Dyson was at Goole Museum and Gallery between Feburary 9th and April 13th 2024.
Following the exibition we would like to thank everyone who came to, and contributed to, Goole by Barge at Goole Museum and helped to make it happen. We are really pleased that 2200 people visited the exhibition and we had a lovely response. We both had a great time working with the Goole Museum team, Alex Ombler, Richard Young and volunteer Anya Chessman. Alex and Richard created some great workshops during the school holidays with Lego Ken’s Build a Lego Barge (and bridge!) and Richard’s intricately designed Build Your Own George Dyson.
Thanks to everyone who came forward to tell their stories of working on and around the local inland waterways as part of the oral history element to Goole by Barge. And thanks to John Dean, the owner of the George Dyson, without whom, this obviously wouldn’t have happened.
Also to everyone who’s left a comment in the visitor’s book, this is really valuable and important to support the museum to curate future projects such as this. There are a selection of comments from the visitor’s book after the photographs below.
Rich & Lou
“Brilliant stuff! So professional as always, with great photography and great music. A pleasure”.
“Lovely atmospheric pictures, brother were skipper and mate on the George Dyson (63 – 73). I remember her new – a toilet on board, just had to climb down a ladder into the engine room.”
“I just loved the pace of the journey down the river and the music carrying you along. The whole exhibition is inspiring on so many levels: historically, emotionally and visually, and the soundtrack so atmospheric.”
“Absolutely bloody lovely.”
“A really good and quality exhibition. I loved the entirety of it – the film, the music and not least the atmospheric still photographs. I would recommend this to everyone, but I think it’s important that local schools in Goole take the opportunity to let their school children see it. I am unable to recall a better exhibition in Goole.”
“First time visiting the museum, great to read about the history of Goole and also fantastic photo’s, social history and music in the ‘Goole by Barge’ exhibition. The photos really gave a sense of the importance of the water to the area.”
“Absolutely brilliant exhibition – worked on the water nearly 20 years so familiar places.”
“Fabulous exhibition! I really enjoyed the mix of photo’s video and music. The content of the panels really helped me understand more of the experience and artwork. Thank you.”
“Lived in Goole ’88 – ’92; great to walk down memory lane and learn something in this lovely and well thought out museum.”
“Great stuff – nice that barges are remembered.”
“My fave photo was of the whacky looking moon-barn.”
“Excellent! Really enjoyed the exhibition and music.”
“Brilliant photo’s interesting videos.”
“Excellent exhibition, wonderful to speak to the Adventurer, enjoyed listening to his stories about local adventures, and great to see sights from a different perspective.”
“Lovely exhibition – Thank-you. I enjoyed it all – but especially the bridges. It is fascinating to view the land from the water, rather than the other way round. What’s it like going past Drax?”
“Great exhibition. Your adventure. Very enjoyable.”
“Superb exhibition – great photos and stories!”
“Many memories of Goole, Ouse and John Dean! Good video and pictures.”
“So many reminders of the River Humber and Goole, beautiful photo’s, a very pleasant evening, thank you and good luck with your future projects, hope there are many more.”
“A lovely exhibition held in a sympathetic and attractive space – excellent work all round!”
“Familiar places and landscapes, but all looking so different from the water. Great photos and videos. Thanks.”
“Beautiful images of an amazing and historic river voyage. Well done.”
“Love the photos and films. Great textures and colours of water, don’t know how you managed this at night from a moving barge.”
“Excellent display and superb record of an historic trip. Bonus to meet Lou and Rich and gain first-hand account. Well worthy day trip from Northampton.”
“Fabulous photographs – such depth and contrasting colours and light. Brilliant Show!”
“Love the Open Bridges Project – was really looking forward to seeing this instalment and I’m impressed with the gallery and curation. Will certainly be telling friends!”
“Fabulous for grandchildren age 2 + 3.”
“Great insight into the history. Thankfully it is preserved for others to hopefully appreciate.”
“What a fab place of all the history of Goole shipping and building of the ships.”
“This is great stuff I love Goole so much.”
“Thanks for helping ARTISTS”
“Really rather marvellous.”
“We love visiting Goole, nice collection.”
“Wonderful photographs, lovely to meet Lou and Rich.”
