3 July 2009
The final day of the community dig was the hottest day so far! Today, five groups of children from Years 1 and 5 had their chance to dig, helped by Al, Dan, Joanna, Meriel and Sam.
The children’s enthusiasm and excitement was unending and there was a near frenzy of trowelling! The children were also busy comparing the contents of their finds trays, and amidst all the vigorous activity, a new find! A Victorian red and white button - perhaps it was accidentally lost from a lady’s Sunday best dress or from the button box of a local seamstress? Dressmaking was a well-known industry in the area at the time and sad though it seems, it is unlikely that many posh frocks were owned, let alone worn, by the girls and women living in the Old Nichol Street Rookery.
In the afternoon a group of local boys visiting the site quizzed Al about the types of finds that had been gathered, and how much they were worth! They also seemed unwilling to finally let go of the local legend of the tunnel through the mound to the church!
It has been gratifying for everyone working on the dig at Arnold Circus to see how much interest it has generated in the local community. We would like to thank everyone who came to see us for their enthusiasm and curiosity, which we hope to have satisfied.
We would also like to thank everyone who made this dig possible, including Tower Hamlets Borough Council, the Friends of Arnold Circus, the staff and pupils of Virginia Primary School, English Heritage, GEH Construction Ltd and the A Foundation at Rochelle School.
