Freshspring & Waverley 2026

The PS Waverley is the last seagoing paddle steamer in the world, and a rare visitor to North Devon. On 15 June 2026 she came up the Torridge to Bideford, where the SS Freshspring, the historic steamship moored at the quay, came out with her crew to welcome her in.

I spent the day with both ships, on the water, in the sky and along the quay. The challenge of this production was giving the appearance that I was in multiple places at once.

More on the resident steamship at Freshspring on Time & Place.

This film hinges around three organic story threads:

1. The Freshspring is vibrant and putting on an event.
2. Greeting a passing steamer. The Freshspring siren required fixing — will John be able to fix it in time?
3. The Waverley is a majestic steam ship, and she is landing in Bideford.

As I arrived I learned that we were going to hook up an air compressor and blow the ship's horn, a rare opportunity to hear the enduring but frail voice of Freshspring. The siren was stuck and mute when first tested, so John was on the case, unscrewing and fixing the siren, then reassembling the horn. I made it look a bit more last-minute in the film as a subplot, for which I hope I can be forgiven. The audio of the horn is captured well, and John tells me that when she's got her steam back the siren will be much more impressive and distinctive.

This production was funded by Mike at Heritage Harbour, who kindly got me a ticket on the Waverley for all the onboard and engine shots.

If this had been a full Sky Relics shoot, it would have been hugely improved by one or two additional camera operators, who could have captured the many shots it was impossible for me to get. The Waverley arrived late and left on time, which compressed my shooting schedule and cost me the planned scenes of the ship on the quayside. I had some camera tech issues, which I have since understood and fixed, and problems with rain on the lens later on — I should have had my waterproofing kit, but I didn't anticipate the rain. A field recorder would have been useful for clean audio, particularly of the music and later the steam engine. And I needed a smaller lens to shoot the close social scenes in tight spaces.

It was a great day. Thanks to the volunteers and everyone who took part.