Barney's epic voyage (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Barney's epic voyage

10:28am Friday 7th November 2003 in News By Sarah Woods

A TELEVISION director from Barnes has embarked on a voyage from Indonesia to Africa in order to make a new documentary.

Barney Broom, an experienced boatsman himself, has become one of the crew members of The Borobudur Ship Expedition, which aims to make a journey that will recreate the ancient trading voyages between the two regions.

It will also demonstrate that this vessel, which is the world’s largest Buddhist Stupa and was built in Java, Indonesia, in the eighth century, is the most likely to have been responsible for spreading Indonesian influence and trade to Madagascar and the African mainland.

Bert Gadsden from East Sheen, a friend of Mr Broom’s, said: "You would have to be an exceptional sailor to go on a boat like this.

"Barney is a keen boatsman which may be because his mother lives up on the Norfolk Broads.

"This is deviating slightly from the type of documentary he normally makes, like drama documentaries for the Army and Navy or advertisements for Shell."

The ship set sail in August for a four month journey, has recently left Madagascar and is now making slow progress in the Mozambique Channel.

It should continue up the western coast of Africa and is due to arrive at its final destination of Ghana in December.

There are currently 16 people on board, including an expedition leader, ship’s captain, ship’s master, engineer, sail maker and other crew members.

Mr Broom has made over 350 films and videos in the business sector and also pop promotions, commercials and cinema shorts.