By Bernie Bell.

I first came across Lara Maiklem when friend Jo showcased her own flint finds in Southwark Cathedral, and posted what Lara  had written about it on her Facebook page.   The ‘permanent case of mudlarked artefacts’ referred to, is Lara’s own

“Meet Joanne Bourne, she’s the author of a beautiful little book called ‘Flint’ and curator of this month’s case at Southwark Cathedral.

Southwark Cathedral’s mudlarking exhibition is London’s only permanent display devoted to river-found objects.

As well as a permanent case of mudlarked artefacts, there is also a ‘guest case’ that changes monthly, for mudlarks, creatives and finders to show off their finds, and their creativity. This month the spotlight is on Joanne Bourne and her love of flint.

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Her display features a stunning array of natural flint, flint fossils and prehistoric worked flint all gathered from field walking in the North Downs just 15 miles south of the river. Since the Cathedral is faced with knapped flint cobbles and it’s impossible to visit the foreshore and not find flint, what better place to display the beauty of this mystical stone.

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The exhibition is located in a beautiful and ancient cathedral beside the river, next to London Bridge and on the edge of brilliant Borough Market (even the pub next door is called The Mudlark).”

As someone who loves to find and bring home bits & pieces from the beach, Lara’s mudlarking  appealed to me so I took to checking her Facebook page…..

https://www.facebook.com/LondonMudlark/?locale=en_GB

It not just that her finds are fascinating, she also writes very well about them, telling stories and histories.  I saw that she’s written a few books about her mudlarking activities, and ordered one from  ‘Stromness Books & Prints’ – what was known a Tams, but what I’ve finally adjusted to thinking of as Sheena’s!

‘Mudlarking’ arrived

and from when I opened the book, the front inside cover gave a good indication of what was in store

But it’s not just about objects to be found, it’s about their history and the history of the Thames as a river, including how it’s flow can be affected by humans –  for example in the different construction of the bridges and docks.

How we can influence the river, and how the river can influence us.

It’s a wide-ranging, fascinating, very human story.

I’m always looking for good  new writers and Lara isn’t only  a Mudlarker, she’s a writer, an observer,  a thinker, a feeler – and that’s what the world needs right now.

Thanks, Lara.