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The film clearly shows the advantages of an apprenticeship system in most industries, crafts and professions. The opportunity of "earning whilst learning" is one which increasing numbers of youngsters are keen to grasp.
I do hope that some of the professions such as Accountancy, Nursing and the Law, which some years ago opted for a "graduate only" entry system will begin to see that those decisions deserve to be reconsidered.

The film put the message across very well, and covered all the key issues in a well-balanced way. Seeing it through the perspective of the apprentices themselves was very effective. The film respected them and didn't talk down to them. They were natural and genuine - it was obvious they were speaking in their own words and not from a script. They were a great advertisement for apprenticeships, they were confident and enthusiastic and spoke well, which may confound those who imagine that non-academic teenagers can only grunt and say 'like' after every other word. The benefits of apprenticeships, and the missed opportunities to promote them in schools and careers advice services, came across strongly.

Excellent film that highlights areas of apprenticeships that is not commonly known, and tried to change the perception that it is all to do with physical crafts. The UK Ltd can only thrive on its exports being greater than it imports; if we cannot compete on price against the far east, we can compete on the quality of our skill base, and that means that passing on those skills.
This film should have a much wider exposure, especially to education authorities, schools and parent groups, because it shows how young people can find a way to get on the job ladder, build their confidence and know that they are being successful.

This is a timely and important film. The people who are featured are brilliant spokesmen for the cause of apprenticeships. The case is made not only for traditional crafts but for modern technologies and management skills. It would interest young people - should be show in every secondary school! - and also to employers, families and decisions-makers.
Our leaders in the UK have over many decades taken us down a fruitless path (chasing university qualifications), and we simply have to get back to proper hands-on training for most of our school-leavers, and give them and our whole country a sound future.

The film raised the profile of apprentices and the benefits to the individuals in a very engaging way.
I see the main users to be Schools Careers Advisors, but also Advisors in Employment offices. The film is an excellent educational resource to arouse awareness in young prospective apprentices, and would be applicable all over the UK.
I think the film provides a convincing case for young people to consider something which helps them to learn life skills, be they personal skills or more technical or craft skills. Altogether an entertaining and effective film. ****

It's a beautifully made film that makes the point well. It seems to me that the message is one that applies at the national level, and it could usefully be shown at the Department for Education in Whitehall. How about getting our prospective MP Helen Whately to see it and get her to push it in the corridors of power.

I thought it was interesting to talk to the lads from the coach works, especially regarding advice given when at school! With any luck this film may put an end to that sort of attitude!!
I did think that the female stone mason summed it up so well, about leaving uni with the same degree as a thousand others!!!

I've just watched the video again, and each time I view it the more I like it!. The way the stone mason tutor explains from an employers point of view is perfect. She tells the audience exactly how it will be as an apprentice, gold dust!
All I can say is 'Bravo' the way you've inter grated the use of 'Real' apprentices, 'Exquisite' involving professionals that are almost Transparent, you can literally see what they are thinking of our next generation, They truly believe as We do that apprenticeships are one of the best ways to change someone's life, because if you can find what a young adult wants to truly be, mechanic, hair dresser, Pilot....... There is an Apprenticeship framework for that role. If there isn't we can create one! This video is one of, no it is the best video's I've ever seen.

An interesting mix of old and new footage showing the history and future of the Thames Sailing Barge. A good vehicle to bring the barge world to a wider audience.

Many congratulations on the magnificent film. I think the applause at the end expressed everybody’s sentiment.

I really enjoyed it and found it quite moving. I loved to hear Don’s stories. I am quite used to Cambria stories myself and were delighted to know that they were accurate. […] The film cutting has been sympathetic to the people who have been interviewed and they all tell an honest story. The barges are of course gorgeous, and my association with the barging community fills me with pride at being in the presence of greatness.
I would like to thank you for telling a story so sympathetically but without being any way sentimental. Thank you Mike for a job incredibly well done.

A good buy, and an enjoyable watch for anyone interested in these craft or Thames history in general.

Big thanks to Michael Maloney. A superb film. Well done.

Bob and I –and many other people I talked to afterwards – thoroughly enjoyed ‘Red Sails’. It was well researched, beautifully filmed and put together. The film is a valuable contribution to the understanding of the Thames Barge.

I thought the film was very well put together, a good mix of old and new and lots of history for the records. I think it should certainly stand the test of time as a good record of the ‘barging era’.

It was wonderful to watch, really enlightening and very interesting!

It was interesting – there’s so much local history out there and so many important stories to tell….

I enjoyed the production very much. You provided a good insight to a lot of the history of Thames Barges and introduced us to the passion of many of those involved. I would say it was more of a vocation than a job.
You managed to convey this beautifully with some wonderful pictures from the archives and your own efforts and to produce a real slice of the Thames Estuary life at sea. I was sorry when it finished !

We both very much enjoyed the film and the admirable way that you tied the history of barges in with the restoration of the Cambria.

I was very impressed by the film and treatment of the subject it “reached” me and I thought that the treatment of Jimmy Laurence and Bill Collard was very effective in binding the film sections together.

Your technique of using interviews to highlight the real life of people working on shipbuilding and barges in days past is quite emotional for the older generations with a close association and interesting for the younger generations to. I am sure there will be much interest from schools and further education establishments. Well done.

I thought the content of the video was excellent. It was nice to see both new and vintage film used together and liked the use of the Cambria as the running link throughout the film.

I thought it was a brilliant film and the music was especially appropriate. The archive shots were super. Hope it goes a long way!

My maternal grandfather was a shipwright at Conyer and my paternal great-grandfather was a barge skipper. This film was delightful:enlightening, amusing, and extremely moving. Thank you for recording this important part of our history and for giving us the opportunity to see how our ancestors worked and lived on the barges.

The film was of very good quality and exceptionally real, as much as you captured the reality by interviewing the people involved at the fore front of the theme. This proximity underlined the very special nature of the film and was not merely an assortment of archives put together which makes the film rather special and will present it ‘head and shoulders’ above any other tribute to sailing barges.

We really enjoyed “Red Sails”. I think you have managed to gather the main history of sailing barges and the trades that they were engaged in. I must congratulate all concerned for a first class film. Best Regards.

I absolutely loved your DVD brought back many memories for us. I have ordered another copy today as a Christmas present so hope you can despatch as soon as possible. I would give him mine but don’t want to part with it. Congratulations on such an interesting film.