Mudlarks

London's River Thames has long been a hot spot for "Mudlarks"-
Traditionaly young children or widowed women who scoured the muck for tings of value.

what Wouldnt I give to do the same thing! Modern-Day mudlarks are turning up everything from bicycles to coins minted in Tudor times.... even to artifacts from Roman-occupied England!

So, what's the big deal? why cant I just go out there and pick up a Tudor treasure for myself? Short and Simple: I cant, because it's illegal. Unless I have a permit.

There are three types of permits that you can find here: http://www.ncmd.co.uk/docs/pla%20permit.pdf

The range is from "Day Pass" on up, but these are HEAVILY regulated. Only a member of the elite may get the "Mudlark Pass" and to get the Mudlark Pass you must first belong to the "Society of Thames Mudlarks".

So, that's a setback, but one that we should be able to work around, correct? Wrong again. The Mudlarks dont have a website, e-mail or contact number. Short of that, the only solution I can see to find such a member of the Elitest mudlarks is to take a trip to England, wander down to the Thames and start asking eery person you see digging in the mud "Can I join your super-cool club?"


But will you get a yes? More importantly, do you WANT to get a yes?

All of the finds the Mudlarks make that have historical value are immediately turned over to the museum of London. The Mudlarks of today's society are interested in providing a cultural background for London- not putting dinner on their tables as was the goal of mudlarks in Industrial England.

And beg as you might to join the secret society, they can always deny you entry. Or it seems that could be a posibility. Since it's foundation in 1979-1980 it seems like the 'Larks havent had more than 100 members in their group. Is it misinformation? Is it truth? Is it because most people can Quell their Magpie syndrome? Or is the muckky Thames the main reason why people steer clear of the treasure?

the only way one could ever know is to be invited into the Society itself.