Colin Window
Colin Window is the Bridge Officer of the Woolwich Ferry that crosses the Thames.
Fact title | Fact data |
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Age |
57
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Lives |
Canvey Island, Essex
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Family |
Wife and four children
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There’s been a , east of London, for centuries. Colin operates a one thousand ton ferry using surprisingly dainty controls as he transports passengers and vehicles across the tidal river.
It’s a job he loves, and he says there’s never a day when he doesn’t want to come to work.
Ancient Guild
This is probably because Colin is a “river man” through and through. He has worked on the Thames most of his life as did his father and grandfather before him.
This connection to the heritage of London’s river extends to Colin’s membership of the order of Watermen, an ancient guild created by parliament in 1555 to licence people who transport passengers across the Thames.
鲹
Similarly, every year Colin takes part in the London Barge Race. It’s a unique competition that showcases traditional river skills.
Crews of 5 to 6 men row 30 ton barges from Greenwich to Westminster, racing to get to the Houses of Parliament first.
Family pride
When he’s not working on the river, Colin lives nearby, on Canvey Island, with wife Joanne and their two young daughters.
When he was told that had been chosen to take part in the programme, Colin considered it a matter of family pride that a Window should take up the challenge of working a river thousands of miles from home.
Colin's Host
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Mr Loteef spends his days ferrying people and goods back and forth across the river in Dhaka, serenading his passengers on the way
