viewfinder's thames trail: family pack
DESCRIPTION
Follow Colin the Cormorant along the Thames Trail – he'll ask you questions along the way! The Viewfinder recently created the Thames Trail: an interactive photowalk with an accompanying phone app that encourages the local community and visitors to explore the industrial, shipbuilding and trading heritage of Greenwich, from its 19th century heyday to the present. The photowalk will launch in June 2013, with the resources available online until at least 2018. The project is being funded by a £16,400 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). Your child can either read this booklet on screen at home, or download it to take on the route with you. The Thames Trail app is free to download, and available for both Android and Apple phones: http://bit.ly/thamestrailandroid and http://bit.ly/thamestrailappleTRANSCRIPT
THAMES TRAILFOLLOW COLIN THE CORMORANT ALONG THE THAMES TRAIL – HE’LL ASK YOU QUESTIONS ON THE WAY!Cormorants are water birds, and many of them live along the Thames. They dive into the water to catch fish and eels. Underwater, they propel themselves with their webbed feet. After swimming, they can often be seen holding their wings outstretched to dry in the sun.
Can you spot some cormorants along the Thames Trail?
LET’S GO!
1. CUTTY SARK
The Cutty Sark is one of the world’s most famous ships – it is the last surviving tea clipper, the fastest and greatest of her time, which transported tea between Europe and the East Indies. Look out for other kinds of boats while you’re on the Thames Trail – write down any other kinds you see.
What do you think those boats might be used for?
2. BARGES
Barges used to bring coal for the power station.
Can you think of things that might be transported by boat today?
4. GREENWICH POWER STATION
Greenwich Power station used to produce energy for London’s trams.
How do you think buses, trains and the tube are powered today?
3. CRANE STREET
Crane Street used to have lots of pubs for the river workers.
Can you find a pub there now?
Why do you think there aren’t as many pubs here now?
5. ENDERBY’S WHARF
Telegraph cables were transported from Enderby’s Wharf to America in Victorian times. They were invented by the famous engineer Brunel and helped people to send long-distance messages.
How many ways can you think of sending messages today?
6. MORDEN WHARF
Morden Wharf is named after Sir John Morden, who set up almshouses in Blackheath. ‘Alms’ means charity money for the poor.
Can you think of any famous people who help charities to raise money today?
7. SMELLY
The Molassine Mealworks was a dog biscuit factory, and used to make a smell called the ‘Greenwich pong’.
Can you see other factories?
What can you smell on the river today?
8. DANGER
It used to be a very dangerous job to work on barges on the Thames.
Can you think of any jobs today that are dangerous?
Why do you think people do dangerous jobs?
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9. CLEAN AND DIRTY
In the Victorian times, the Thames was one of the dirtiest rivers in Europe, but now it’s one of the cleanest in Europe – people have even caught salmon swimming in it.
What do you think made it dirty before, and why do you think it’s much cleaner now?
10. TRANSPORT
Imagine you are going to a concert at the O2 Arena (it is now a music venue).
How many different ways can you think of to get there?
Clue: the O2 Arena is at North Greenwich tube station.
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PUBLISH YOUR PHOTOS
Don’t forget to email your photos to [email protected] to have them published on the Thames Trail Peninsula Pals Zone:www.flickr.com/photos/ thamestrailgreenwich/sets
Put your name and age if you’d like those to be included with your photographs.
11. PLACE NAMES
How many place names can you remember with river features like wharf, quay, pier or dock?
THE END!
1. CUTTY SARKExamples include: Thames Clipper passenger boats, barges, rowing boats.
2. BARGESExamples include: gravel, sand, food from overseas, textiles.
3. CRANE STREETTrafalgar Tavern or The Yacht. Factories and the gas works have closed, and their workers were the main customers for local pubs so many pubs have closed.
4. GREENWICH POWER STATIONEnergy sources:Buses: Diesel or Diesel-electric hybrid, some are hydrogen-fuelledTrams: Electricity (some of which comes from renewable energy sources)Tube: Electricity from Greenwich Gas Turbine Plant (Gasoil)
5. ENDERBY’S WHARFExamples include: email, mobile phone, landlines, text message, sending a letter.
6. MORDEN WHARFExamples include: the Queen and Richard Branson.
7. SMELLYAny smell identified by the child, such as the smell of the beach or the smell from boats.
8. DANGERExamples include: working in a mine or being a soldier. Reasons why people might do dangerous jobs today include not being able to find a safer job, some dangerous jobs paying better than some safe jobs, or being patriotic (eg in the army or navy).
9. CLEAN AND DIRTYPollution from industry and from poor sewerage made the river dirty. Now there are strict laws against pollution, and many riverside industries have closed.
10. TRANSPORTGetting to North Greenwich: by tube (London Underground), cable car, bus, boat, car, walking, bike – there is even a helipad for helicopters to land.
11. PLACE NAMESAny place names or street names featuring wharf, quay, pier or dock — examples include: Morden Wharf, Enderby’s Wharf, and Greenwich Pier.
ADULTS: ANSWER SHEET