Dapdune Wharf
As part of this half term’s topic “Row, row your boat” Year 6 visited Dapdune Wharf in Guildford. Now managed by the National trust, the wharf was once an important trading link to London. Corn, timber and even gunpowder were loaded onto barges which travelled up to Weybridge and then onward up the River Thames. Coal was the cargo for the return leg of the trip which lasted a total of 3 days.
An exciting day of activities centered on the River Wey.
Year six learnt about the Edward’s family barge business inside the cargo hold of one of the last surviving river barges “The Reliance”.
The importance of pulleys to off load the heavy cargo soon became apparent when trying the hands-on exhibits.
Richard, the River Wey lengthsman, told the children about how the river Wey had undergone restoration. He pointed out the different ways in which the river bank had been modified to prevent flooding and erosion. Year 6 also got to throw in oranges to investigate how fast the river flowed as it passed through the wharf.
Stop watches at the ready!
Year 6 learnt a lot outside the classroom during this visit which will help them with study back in school. A special thank you was made to the National trust volunteers who were expert at answering questions on life at the Wharf and Mr Collings, a parent governor, for accompanying Year 6 on this trip.
