Outreach
We offer a service for schools and other groups to learn more about the industrial history of the River Wandle through our Outreach Programme. Subject to Museum staff resources being available we are happy to visit your school or meeting place.
The following is available as part of our programme:
Resources for Schools
Aimed at Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 we have the following information sheets available for teachers. These are free and may be downloaded as required. The information sheets currently available are:
- Natural Resources for Dyeing.
- The River Wandle.
- Water Wheels and Water Mills.
- William Morris in Merton.
- History of Textile Printing on the Wandle.
- Textiles on the Wandle.
Possible other resources useful to schools
The Story of of a girl called Lavender by Elly Platt
This short story looks at the life of a 9 year old working in the textile mills on the river Wandle. Covering social history and the science behind the production of dyes. A copy of the story is free to download here.
London's river tales for children by Anne Johnson and Sef Townsend
Chapter Six of this titled "Safe at Last: Refugees on the Wandle" tells the story of a Huguenot family who fled France and arrived in England and how they joined the textile industry of the Wandle Valley.
Should you have any questions or require any help then please contact the museum via e-mail office@wandle.org or call 020 8648 0127.
Print Workshop
The workshop is about the process of block printing that was used by the calico print works along the River Wandle. This includes the Morris Works and Liberty Print Works.
After viewing a film showing how block printing was done there will be an opportunity to handle original Liberty blocks and the tools used. This will be followed by a talk looking at a selection of patterns and designs produced by the printers. To close the workshop each attendee will have an opportunity to produce they own print using Morris inspired blocks.
Charges are as follows:
Schools £Free of Charge
Groups £5 per head.
Talks
We are able to offer a number of talks covering a number of subjects relating to the Wandle Valley. Talks are given free of charge however we do welcome donations. Available talks can be found here.
Guided Walks along the River Wandle
These can be arranged to suit your needs. Free of charge we do welcome donations. All walks give you the opportunity to learn more about the river, the mills and how the river has changed over the years. Bring your camera to catch the wildlife and views of the river. Our current range of walks can be found here.
All group visits, talks and walks need to be booked in advance.
Visits can be adapted to the children's/individual's needs and abilities.
Leaders and teachers are encouraged to visit the Museum to discuss their requirements with the Staff. Please telephone the museum on 020 8648 0127 to make an appointment.
Risk Assessment
The museum has made it's own assessment of any risks. While we consider this to be sufficient we consider it to be the responsibility of any potential visitor(s) to ensure that there is no element of the workshops or displays which would present a hazard. If users are adequately supervised, especially in the case of school groups, all the steps we have taken to anticipate any problem should be adequate. We are happy to allow any group to make their own risk assessment prior to a visit.