Our London’s Foundations project has now been completed and you can now find ideas and resources on this website about ways you can still benefit from what has been done. On the site are some resources about brickmaking in the area whilst schools can also contact [email protected] to borrow brickmaking kits with associated teaching resources. Click here to go to the section for schools for further resources and information.

Through the project pupils and staff have been introduced to Groundwork’s project on the local Victorian brick industry, and its link to the canal.

As part of the project we have developed the London’s Foundations Trail: Otter Dock, Stockley Dock and Liddal’s Dock Circular Walk. Just over 5 miles in length this walk will take you along the route if several docks of the grand union canal which served the brickfields in Yiewsley, Stockley park and West Drayton.

Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, London’s Foundations was a unique heritage programme for children and adults to actively rediscover the Victorian brick industry that built London. The project included brick making workshops, trips on board the Elsdale Floating Classroom, heritage walks and talks and volunteering opportunities. The project was supported by Thames 21 and HG Matthews.

Links to partner organisations that worked with London’s Foundations

Thames 21-Hillingdon branch-did joint volunteer projects on litter picking, and general tidy up.

http://www.thames21.org.uk/project/hillingdon/

Cranford Park Friends-did joint volunteer events on litter picking, brick making workshops and heritage presentations

http://cranfordparkfriends.org/

Hillingdon Council healthy walks-did joint events which were ‘walk and talk’, i.e information given while walking in sites which were connected to the brick making industry.

http://www.hillingdon.gov.uk/article/8625/Led-walks