CRaFT Frequently Asked Questions April 23 2019 © What is Thames CRaFT? © How can I get involved? © Dol have to take part in foreshore fieldwork? How much time is involved? © Dol need training? * Can! select the CRaFT site that | want to get involved in? © What do | need to bring when volunteering on the foreshore? * Dowe collect artefacts? © How easy is it to access the foreshore? Whyis the foreshore fieldwork sometimes so early in the morning? Who do I contact if | have questions? What is Thames CRaFT? Thames CRaFT is a community-based study of the Causeways, Riverstairs, and Ferry Terminals on the tidal Thames. The aim of this project is to tell the story of a time when Londoners routinely took to the river to get around their great city. The story is told through + The ‘public’ landing places — the equivalent of today's taxi ranks or bus-stops - of the Watermen plying their trade on the river + The private stairs + The short and long ferries + The social and economic change brought about by the building of bridges and the coming of the railways and increased road transport, The story will be enhanced by documentary research, cartographic analysis and past, present and future fieldwork on the foreshore. CRaFT extends the scope and depth of Thames project - with the participation of: + City of London Archaeological Society + Thames Discovery Programme + And students from the Institute of Archaeology (UCL) covery Programme's Lost Waterways How can I get involved? Whether your interest is in research or foreshore fieldwork there are many opportunities for you to get involved and to contribute your ideas and interests to this new project Volunteers can get involved in any, or all, of the four CRaFT Landing Stages. There are guides and information sheets to help you at each stage and volunteers are supported by CRaFT Coordinators. Stage 1: History Many of the CRaFT have disappeared and the only way to tell their story is through research. Whether your preference is digital digging’ or paper-based research every CRaFT has a story to tell. Volunteers can investigate any aspect of the history of a CRaFT or of transport on the Thames. Research could cover CRaFT in paintings, literature and song, orCRaFT place name records, or CRaFT on old maps or panoramas, or any CRaFT-related topic that interests you. It can be as simple as gathering a few historic images or you could decide to answer a question raised by one of the foreshore fieldwork teams. We also encourage our CRaFT volunteers to pool their knowledge and let others know what you are working on through our CRaFT online space - someone else might have the missing piece of your CRaFT puzzle Stage 2: Observational Survey Join a group of volunteers on the foreshore to: * Describe your CRaFT on our easy-to-use descriptive survey sheet (there's a guide to help you complete it), take lots of photos and upload everything to our online space. The description and photos are a snapshot in time that will help you compare your CRaFT to past and future states. * What questions need further research? Post your questions on our online space - someone might already have the answers. Stage 3: Measured Survey Thames Discovery Programme will help our volunteers to produce a drawn record and perhaps even a 3-D model. It's an opportunity to learn new skills or practice ones that you haven't used for a while. Stage 4: Monitoring Survey The Thames is continually eroding the foreshore - revealing or destroying features. The Monitoring Survey helps you track changes to your CRaFT and reflect on what those changes can tell you about its history and its usage over time. There's an easy-to-use survey sheet and a guide to help you complete the sheet, The Monitoring Survey is the follow-up to the Observational Survey. We're keen to hear from people who have research or archaeology skills that they would like to share with fellow CRaFT volunteers. We will also have a regular blog and we are keen to hear from volunteers who would like to contribute. Do | have to take part in foreshore fieldwork? No, you don't. There are lots of opportunities for you to help tell the stories of Thames CRaFT and the people who used them or relied on them for their livelihood through research which can be as quick and simple as gathering images or finding references to Thames CRaFT in historical documents. How much time is involved? It's up to you how much time you want to give to volunteering with CRaFT, whether it's a few hours, days, or more. We are very happy to have you with us and above all we hope that you enjoy being part of CRaFT.Do I need training? Stage 1 History: as soon as you have signed up you can start researching a CRaFT or any CRaFT-related topic. There's a guide to help you get started. Stages 2-4: © Ifyou are a trained Thames Discovery Programme FROG then you do not require additional training to get started on the foreshore fieldwork. Contact your CRaFT Coordinator to join a CRaFT group. © Ifyou are not a trained Thames Discovery Programme foreshore FROG, you will need to take part in one of our induction sessions. This covers completing the CRaFT survey sheets, as well as health and safety on the foreshore. We'll be organising sessions during the year and you'll receive more information when you sign up. * We occasionally run training on specific topics during the year - keep a look out for announcements. Can | select the CRaFT site that I want to get involve: Yes. The CRaFT research area covers all the landing places from Vauxhall to Greenwich That's over 200 Thames CRaFT, of which around 100 are stil extant on the foreshore or inland, When you sign up just let us know which CRaFT you want to get involved in and whether you prefer research or foreshore fieldwork, or both. We'll ensure that you have all the information that you need to get started. If you don't specify a CRaFT when you sign up then you can always join a group afterwards, just email your CRaFT Coordinators: © For COLAS: mail@colas.org.uk For Thames Discovery: thamesdiscovery@mola.org.uk What do I need to bring to do the foreshore fieldwork? Prepare to get muddy! You will need: © Sturdy boots (walking boots for instance) or wellington boots * Comfy clothes, that are easy to move in and that you don't mind getting muddy * Depending on the weather © Warm olothes ifit's cold, Layers are best. Don't forget a hat and gloves! The foreshore can be noticeably colder and windier than it is on dryland. Waterproof coat / over trousers in case of rain ‘Sun cream and a hat if i's sunny. © Working gloves - although we can also provide them Phone / camera Bottle of water ‘Snacks (but remember to wash your hands before eating) Alcoholic hand gel and/or wet wipes