Tiller & Wheel Ltd was formed in 2019 by husband and wife team, Ed Gransden and Heather Burgess. Drawing on their individual expertise and passions – Ed’s being sailing & historic vessels of the East Coast; Heather’s in arts, events and cultural engagement.
As the custodians for multiple historic sailing vessels, we aspire to create a sustainable business model to ensure their ongoing preservation. To do this we aim to inject arts & culture at the core of the business and redefine their purpose, from industrial working craft to cultural platforms.
The organisation started with the sailing barge Edith May and Whitstable smack Thistle, restored by Ed’s father Geoff, before expanding in 2024 to include sailing barges Ardwina and Lady Daphne, together with our own wharf, at Shoregate, in Kent.
Heather & Ed are well versed in transforming and re-purposing a space; having already established a unique art venue – Sun Pier House CIC – by utilising an empty commercial office building in Chatham town centre and turning it into a vibrant gallery, studios, workshop space, venue and tearoom.
Heather and Ed are supported by an amazing team of volunteers – if you’re interested in getting directly involved with the mission, please drop us a line.
