Claire Barratt
Encyclopedia
Claire Barratt is an industrial archaeologist, steam engineer and television presenter from the UK.
She studied civil engineering
at the University of Portsmouth
, and whilst doing so, became more interested in mechanical engineering
. Having completed her degree
, she worked at the Chiltern Open Air Museum
, the Royal Armouries
and the British Engineerium
where she continues to be employed. It was from here that her television career was launched when she appeared on Channel 4
's Salvage Squad
– a programme about restoring historical machinery – first as a participant, later as co-presenter. Whilst filming, she completed a master's degree
in Conservation
of Industrial Heritage
and won the Association for Industrial Archaeology
Student Fieldwork Award. Since her university days she has restored and run many different vehicles and is currently restoring a watermill
in Cornwall
. She is a member of Subterranea Britannica, a society which studies and records man-made underground sites.
Barratt is married to Ben, and the pair have two daughters and a pet dog.
She studied civil engineering
Civil engineering
Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works like roads, bridges, canals, dams, and buildings...
at the University of Portsmouth
University of Portsmouth
The University of Portsmouth is a university in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. The University was ranked 60th out of 122 in The Sunday Times University Guide...
, and whilst doing so, became more interested in mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
. Having completed her degree
Academic degree
An academic degree is a position and title within a college or university that is usually awarded in recognition of the recipient having either satisfactorily completed a prescribed course of study or having conducted a scholarly endeavour deemed worthy of his or her admission to the degree...
, she worked at the Chiltern Open Air Museum
Chiltern Open Air Museum
Chiltern Open Air Museum is a museum of vernacular buildings and a tourist attraction located near Chalfont St Peter and Chalfont St. Giles in the Chiltern Hills, Buckinghamshire, England....
, the Royal Armouries
Royal Armouries
The Royal Armouries is the United Kingdom's National Museum of Arms and Armour. It is the United Kingdom's oldest museum, and one of the oldest museums in the world. It is also one of the largest collections of arms and armour in the world, comprising the UK's National Collection of Arms and...
and the British Engineerium
British Engineerium
The British Engineerium is an engineering and steam power museum in the West Blatchington area of Hove, part of the English city of Brighton and Hove, located just north of the Brighton & Hove Greyhound Stadium...
where she continues to be employed. It was from here that her television career was launched when she appeared on Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
's Salvage Squad
Salvage Squad
Salvage Squad is a television programme in which the "Salvage Squad" faced the challenge of restoring an item of classic machinery. The task was usually against a tight deadline, such as a public unveiling at a vehicle rally...
– a programme about restoring historical machinery – first as a participant, later as co-presenter. Whilst filming, she completed a master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in Conservation
Architectural conservation
Architectural conservation describes the process through which the material, historical, and design integrity of mankind's built heritage are prolonged through carefully planned interventions. The individual engaged in this pursuit is known as an architectural conservator...
of Industrial Heritage
Industrial heritage
Industrial heritage is an aspect of cultural heritage dealing specifically with the buildings and artifacts of industry which are inherited from past generations, maintained in the present and bestowed for the benefit of future generations, often forming a significant attraction for tourism.The...
and won the Association for Industrial Archaeology
Association for Industrial Archaeology
The Association for Industrial Archaeology, or AIA, is a body promoting the research, recording, preservation and presentation of the Industrial Heritage of the United Kingdom...
Student Fieldwork Award. Since her university days she has restored and run many different vehicles and is currently restoring a watermill
Watermill
A watermill is a structure that uses a water wheel or turbine to drive a mechanical process such as flour, lumber or textile production, or metal shaping .- History :...
in Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
. She is a member of Subterranea Britannica, a society which studies and records man-made underground sites.
Barratt is married to Ben, and the pair have two daughters and a pet dog.
Filmography
- Salvage SquadSalvage SquadSalvage Squad is a television programme in which the "Salvage Squad" faced the challenge of restoring an item of classic machinery. The task was usually against a tight deadline, such as a public unveiling at a vehicle rally...
, Channel 4Channel 4Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
2002–2004 - The History Detectives, BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
2007 - Rory McGrath's Best of British Engineering, Series Engineer, DiscoveryDiscovery ChannelDiscovery Channel is an American satellite and cable specialty channel , founded by John Hendricks and distributed by Discovery Communications. It is a publicly traded company run by CEO David Zaslav...
2006
Vehicleography
- Talbot Alpine
- Mini ClubmanMiniThe Mini is a small car that was made by the British Motor Corporation and its successors from 1959 until 2000. The original is considered a British icon of the 1960s, and its space-saving front-wheel-drive layout influenced a generation of car-makers...
- 1968 BMCBMC-In business and organizations:* Beard Miller Company, a US public accounting firm* BioMed Central, a UK-based scientific publisher* BMC , a Turkish vehicle manufacturer...
JU250 van with Cotswold camper conversion - Triumph HeraldTriumph HeraldThe Triumph Herald was a small two-door car introduced in 1959 by the Standard-Triumph Company of Coventry. Body design was by the Italian stylist Michelotti and the car was offered in saloon, convertible, coupé, van, and estate models....
- Rover 820
- Renault ClioRenault ClioThe Renault Clio is a supermini car produced by the French automobile manufacturer Renault. Originally launched in 1990, it is currently in its third generation...
- The Pod micro caravan