Thames Discovery Programme announces exciting programme of events for 2017
Tideway has joined forces with the award-winning Thames Discovery Programme to launch a programme of events exploring the history and archaeology surrounding the River Thames.
Supported by Tideway, Thames Discovery Programme – which trains volunteers to record and monitor the archaeology of the River Thames foreshore - is running a programme of free youth and family events for Londoners to discover the archaeological heritage of the river.
Between April and September 2017, the ‘Tadpole’ youth volunteer group for eight to 18-year-olds will hold sessions for budding archaeologists to gain first-hand experience of foreshore recording and observation with London’s largest community archaeology project. Alongside these events, there will also be a series of guided family walks on weekends, skills workshops and free community lectures covering fascinating subjects such as ships and shipbreaking and crime and punishment on the Thames.
Josh Frost, Senior Community Archaeologist at Thames Discovery Programme, said: “The Thames Discovery Programme’s volunteers have made discoveries that have changed our understanding of London and people’s interaction with the river over thousands of years. It has also helped Londoners to develop new skills and actively take part in the unforgettable experience of discovering the past.
“Working with Tideway, we look forward to offering more people the chance to get involved with exploring the rich history of the Thames.”
John Sage, Tideway’s corporate responsibility manager, said: “Our goal at Tideway is to reconnect London and Londoners with the River Thames, and this fantastic programme is an opportunity to explore the rich history of the river from its very own banks.”
With additional support from Tideway, the expanded Thames Discovery Programme is creating a new, younger generation of archaeology enthusiasts through the creation of the Tadpoles group, which will join the existing adult FROGs (Foreshore Recording and Observation Groups).
It will also deliver curriculum-linked sessions on Thames heritage to London schools, both in the classroom and in the foreshore.
Check out the Thames Discovery Programme Eventbrite page for to book, or for more information or enquiries, email thamesdiscovery@mola.org.uk.
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Public workshop
Date: Saturday 6 May 2017
Time: 10:30 – 15:30
Abstract: Join Oliver Hutchinson of the Coastal and Intertidal Archaeological Network (CITiZAN) and members of the Thames Discovery Programme team for a workshop introducing photogrammetry and 3D modelling. The morning session will cover a brief history of photogrammetry, its value to archaeological research and how to capturing the best possible data set on site. The afternoon session will be dedicated to understanding Agisoft Photoscan, the industry standard software package for 3D modelling and photogrammetry. By the end of the day participants will be competent in conducting their surveys on site right through to completing their own high quality 3D model.
Location: MOLA, Mortimer Wheeler House, 46 Eagle Wharf Road, London N1 7ED
Price and booking: This event is free of charge but book your free place here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/3d-modelling-workshop-tickets-33008975735
Community Lecture
Date: 23rd May 2017
Time: 7pm start
Abstract: Few people today are aware of London’s extraordinary past as a shipbuilding centre. While we instinctively think of Portsmouth, Plymouth and the Clyde as the homes of the Royal Navy, London played a greater part than any of these Little physical evidence of these vast enterprises is visible behind the river wall but when the tide goes out the Thames foreshore gives us glimpses of just how much nautical activity took place along its banks.
An even more unknown and yet more enduring London industry is that of shipbreaking. As long as ships have been built they have also been broken up; suitable timbers being incorporated into new vessels, others re-purposed in structures, made into furniture or used as firewood. On the Thames foreshore, we find much more evidence of shipbreaking than we do of building- scant remnants of this virtually invisible yet vitally important industry.
Location: MOLA, Mortimer Wheeler House, 46 Eagle Wharf Road, London N1 7ED
Price and booking: This event is free of charge but book your free place here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/thames-discovery-programme-671891547
Family walk - Putney
Date: Monday 29th May 2017
Time: 12:45pm-1:30pm
Abstract: Join the Thames Discovery Programme for our next family walk on the foreshore at Putney. Discover the story of an angry Prime Minister and Putney’s first bridge as well as Putney’s role in English Civil War. The walk will take place on the foreshore and allows families to explore the foreshore with one of our team of archaeologists.
Location: Putney SW15
Price and booking: This event is free of charge but book your free place here: http://www.mola.org.uk/events/family-walk-foreshore-putney
Tadpoles walk - Putney
Date: Tuesday 30th May 2017
Time: 10am-11:30 am
Abstract: Mapping the Foreshore: We will be located and marking the variety of features to be found on the foreshore. This event will also include a walk over the site and chance to look at artefacts with one of our archaeologists.
Location: Putney SW15
Price and booking: This event is free of charge but book your free place here: http://www.mola.org.uk/events/tadpoles-walk-putney-0
Tadpoles walk - Putney
Date: Wednesday 31st May 2017
Time: 10am-11:30 am
Abstract: Apping the Foreshore; Coming right up to the modern day, join us as we use the CITiZAN app to record features on the foreshore and watch as they are added to an interactive map. This session will include a site walk over and a chance to look at finds with one of our team of archaeologists.
Location: Putney SW15
Price and booking: This event is free of charge but book your free place here: http://www.mola.org.uk/events/tadpoles-walk-putney
Tadpoles walk - Deptford
Date: Thursday 27th July 2017
Time: 11am-12:15 am
Abstract: Mapping the Foreshore: Taking our cue from the map drawn by Ivor Noel Hume, we will be located and marking the variety of features to be found on the foreshore at Trig Lane. From river stairs to campsheds, this site covers the whole of London’s history from the Romans right through to the modern day. This event will also include a walk over the site and chance to look at artefacts with one of our archaeologists.
Location: Deptford SE8
Price and booking: This event is free of charge but book your free place here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/thames-discovery-programme-671891547
Tadpoles walk - Deptford
Date: Friday 28th July 2017
Time: 11am-12:30 pm
Abstract: Apping the Foreshore; Coming right up to the modern day, join us as we use the CITiZAN app to record features on the foreshore and watch as they are added to an interactive map. This session will include a site walk over and a chance to look at finds with one of our team of archaeologists.
Location: Deptford SE8
Price and booking: This event is free of charge but book your free place here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/thames-discovery-programme-671891547
Family walk - Deptford
Date: Saturday 29th July 2017
Time: 12:45pm-1:30pm
Abstract: Join the Thames Discovery Programme for our next family walk on the foreshore. The walk will take place on the foreshore and allows families to explore the foreshore with one of our team of archaeologists.
Location: Deptford SE8
Price and booking: This event is free of charge but book your free place here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/thames-discovery-programme-671891547
Public workshop
Date: Friday 15th September 2017
Time: 7pm start
Abstract: TBC
Location: MOLA, Mortimer Wheeler House, 46 Eagle Wharf Road, London N1 7ED
Price and booking: This event is free of charge but book your free place here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/thames-discovery-programme-671891547
