At our evening meeting on 15th July, some fourteen of us sat down for a chat which turned into an impromptu teach in on the subject of mudlarking – searching the Thames foreshore – which area, apparently, is a right of way.
Several of our most recent recruits are experienced in this field – in addition to stalwarts, Ken and Gill. You need a licence to scrape to a depth of three inches only, and something akin to a Masonic initiation to give you access to deeper levels. Andy – hope I’ve got the name correct – searches eyes only and without scraping. He passed round three of his finds (just happened to have them with him – and why not?).
Cufflinks commemorating Admiral Duncan’s defeat of the Dutch fleet in 1797 thereby thwarting a possible invasion by the Dutch and French forces. Until Andy found these nobody was aware of their existence. They do not bear the date of the battle as you were only entitled to them if you were there, and therefore probably wouldn’t forget when it happened.
A very nice Venetian glass bead and jetton were also passed around.
All three were in excellent condition because the mud is an excellent preservative and mainly free of any agents that will contaminate them. I’m sure Andy would be happy to show you his treasures when next you meet.
Please let me know if any of the above facts are incorrect, Andy, or whoever you are!
Should you be interested: check out thamesdiscovery.org for a public event on 18th September 2016 at Tower Bridge beach.
Also: ornc.org for a similar event at Greenwich on 6th August 2016. I did this one a couple of years ago and found it very informative.
Both offer an opportunity to go upon the foreshore.
Good signals and sights.
Chairman Joe.
