By Guest Blogger Alex Maccioni
On the face of it, mudlarking seems awful.
Kristine has previously made it clear that its origins
were brutal, dirty and desperate. Yet today you will often see people enjoying
a spot of it after Sunday lunch with their children in tow. From my personal
experiences I’d say that mudlarking has never been in better health, with more
and more people becoming enthralled at the prospect of finding real treasure
along the riverbank. The adrenaline rush from finding coins,
broaches, bottles and bracelets on the grubby beaches is seriously addictive.
There are not many hobbies where you can guarantee success of some sort, but
this is one of them. Take anyone down to the banks in the right conditions and
they will find clay pipes and china shards. If you stay long enough you will
invariably find a piece with a pattern or a bit of text on it as well.
Part of the appeal for many is the fact
that they feel reconnected with the Thames having been left feeling
anaesthetised to its charms by fences, walls and steep drops. When they are
actually splashing in puddles on the riverbank, seeing ducks and herons and
witnessing the surprisingly large amount of boat traffic on the river, they are
reminded about how impressive it really is. Mudlarking is about much more than
filling your pockets with interesting bits and bobs.
The experience could be improved if there
was less rubbish
in the Thames, but when mudlarking you are always aware that one man’s
rubbish is another man’s treasure, so I suppose that on one level it’s a
necessary evil if future mudlarkers are to have anything to find! It probably
also helps deter a great number of people, which means there will be more finds
for those that are willing to put up with the odd can and bike dotted around
the place.
Legal
Considerations
It’s worth being aware of the legal element
of mudlarking before you get cracking. Perhaps the most important thing to bear
in mind is obvious: never trespass. No matter how good a patch of shore looks,
you cannot ignore clear signage that states that your movements are limited in
that area. As far as I understand it, anyone can walk along the bank and pick
up anything that catches their eye, but if you wish to start digging around or
using a metal detector then the Port of London
Authority needs to be contacted first of all.
The 1996 Treasure Act is just as applicable
on the Thames as it is elsewhere, so finders may not necessarily mean keepers. Basically,
this means groups of coins, gold and silver objects need to be reported straightaway.
If you have found something that is legally defined as being treasure then you
must allow a museum to purchase it from you for a price set by independent
advisors. If they don’t have the necessary funds or they just don’t want it
then it is yours to keep.
But not all finds are ‘real’ treasure. Some
of the best are things like Victorian glass bottles with a local borough marked
on the glass. Although not intrinsically valuable, they are of immense local
interest and importance. If you find anything like this then you don’t have to
report it but it’s best if you do get in touch with the local Finds Liason
Officer at your council. They will record it in detail and this can help to
build up a very particular image of an areas past history. The find will also
remain yours.
Safety
So that you are best prepared for mud and
wind, it’s best to wear wellies and take a good waterproof. Preferably try to
make sure that this is in a vivid or fluorescent colour so that if you do get
into any difficulty that you will be easy to spot. Also, make sure you’re with
someone else at all times. The tides can be vicious and rapid, so keep an eye
on what the water around you is doing whilst also keeping your exit point in
mind. Some plastic gloves may be worth wearing. We all know that there are some
nasty items in the Thames and you don’t want to be getting this on your hands.
In my experience I’d say the disposable surgical gloves are the best bet.
So this weekend, if the weather is good, go
and give mudlarking a go – you’ll love it.
USEFUL
ORGANISATIONS
Museum of London – They
are fascinated by even the most mundane finds, so be sure to tell them all
about your adventures.
Thames
and Field – A club dedicated to bringing new people into the practice. They
arrange regular meet ups which are brilliant places to learn about new
locations and the finds of others.
London Mudlark – This is a
fantastic Facebook page that is regularly updated with high quality images of
historic finds from the Thames.
Port of London Authority –
Look at the tides before you venture out!
