Come and join the Bankside STEWards in firing pots made from Thames clay on the Thames foreshore.  The wood used in constructing the fires is driftwood from the Thames and its tributaries provided by Riverwood, a project working with adults with learning difficulties to reuse and recycle wood that would otherwise go to landfill. The fires will then be extinguished by the incoming tide. 

12 noon to 5pm     Show-and-tell table  - Two tables at the top of the Globe stairs. 

6pm      Archaeological Walk (approx 45mins) - Meet at the top of the Globe stairs - no need to book, just arrive 10 minutes before.

6.30pm to c.11pm     Firing on the Foreshore - As the tide recedes, two fires will be constructed and lit on the foreshore, with pots made using Thames clay.  The pots were made in advance of the Festival, in a workshop on the 18th August.

Firing pots in this way has a history going back 6,000 years, and examples of such pots can be seen on the show-and-tell table at the top of the Globe stairs until 5pm. See and even handle objects found on the Thames foreshore which tell the history of Bankside from the end of the last Ice Age until yesterday – handaxes, boats, pots, industry, trade and food, to name but a few things.  Thames archaeologist, Dr Fiona Haughey, will be on hand to answer your questions. And learn about health & safety on the foreshore from a rat’s point of view!

Gallery

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