PLEASE NOTE THIS TRIP IS ON 5TH APRIL NOT OUR NORMAL 3RD SATURDAY OF THE MONTH

A document will be sent to you detailing all information of this trip- please ensure you read it in full.

Mudlarks were traditionally people who scoured the riverside for anything they could sell on, today people pick up what they find for their historical value. On each tide the Thames give up a portion of its history ready to be found. This session is being run by the Thames Explorer Trust who will guide us on what we find as well as important safety information.

This activity will be taking place on the north side of the Thames around the Millennium bridge in London. We will be meeting at Chertsey museum, before walking to the train station to take a train for Waterloo. We will then be walking from there to the Millennium bridge (30 minutes). We will be on the foreshore from 12:15-2:15 before making the return journey to Chertsey Museum. There is also an option to meet us in London at the Millennium bridge.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO NOTE:

· Because of tide times, the mudlarking has to happen 12:15-2:15 right over lunchtime. Therefore we will be encouraging the children to eat a very early lunch on the train up. It is not possible for children to eat a snack during mudlarking, as they will be picking things up from the Thames foreshore and they could become ill if they were to eat before washing their hands. We will be washing our hands at the Tate modern after mudlarking and stopping for a snack around 2:30.

· The day will also be quite physically demanding- it is a 1 mile walk between Waterloo and the Millenium Bridge (taking the safest pedestrian route via the riverside), and during the mudlarking the children will be walking around the foreshore for much of the time. While we will be planning breaks, please make sure that children are prepared for a long, tiring day and bring adequate water. After the mudlarking there is a delay before the next suitable train home so we will take a leisurely walk back to the station, pausing to look at some sights on the way.

· We will be outside of much of the day- please dress for the weather and bring extra layers. As we will be walking on the uneven foreshore, please wear sensible footwear- wellies, old trainers or walking boots- no sandals, high heels or bare feet.

· We will be providing the children with disposable and gardening gloves to wear while mudlarking. (It is important to cover any cuts, or eczema ect). Gloves are not compulsory but recommended by the Thames Explorer Trust. If you like, children can bring their own waterproof gloves to wear that they might find more comfortable. Adults should bring their own gloves.

· We will not be taking finds home from the foreshore. The Port of London Authority only allows a small number of permits for people to collect things each year. Instead, they suggest we take a photo of the things found and then leave them behind. Leaders can take photos of finds for the children and email them to parents if they don’t have their own camera.

· Safety: See below for full details.

Accompanying parents:

We expect most children to be dropped of at Chertsey Museum in the morning and to come on the trip accompanied by museum staff. The alternative is that families meet us in London at the Salvation Army HQ on the corner of Peter's Hill with Queen Victoria Street at 12:10, dropping off the children and then picking them up from the same place at 2:15. However we also have 5 spaces for accompanying adults to take part in the mudlarking as well. Please only book an adult space if your child will need your support to be able to come on the trip. Accompanying adults and their children can either travel with us on the train or meet us in London.

If other adults are keen to have their own mudlarking experience, you will need to organise this yourself at another time (tours are offered here: Guided tours - Thames Explorer Trust).

What to bring:

· Packed lunch including multiple snacks

· Water bottle

· Spare warm clothing

· Optional: Hand sanitiser

· Optional: Waterproof gloves

· Optional: Camera