Some of the most fascinating chapters of history are not found in museums but beneath the mud. This is the story of Emmylou Vaxby, a 14-year-old London schoolgirl whose passion for mudlarking is uncovering forgotten fragments of the Thames and inspiring a new generation to look more closely at the past.
Her story stands out among positive news Ireland readers and audiences following positive stories around the world because it combines history, environmental action, creativity and youth-led curiosity. It is also a reminder that daily positive news can begin with one person paying attention to what others overlook.
A young mudlark with an eye for discovery
Emmylou began exploring the Thames foreshore when she was around five or six years old, after visiting the river with a friend’s mother. During the Covid-19 lockdowns, regular family walks turned that early interest into a serious passion.
At low tide, the river exposes stretches of silt, stones and debris between the high- and low-water marks. Emmylou has learned to study the ground carefully, searching for objects that stand out because of their colour, shape or texture. Her finds have included pottery, shells, clay tobacco pipes and other everyday objects that reveal how previous generations lived.
Among her discoveries are pieces of cobalt-glazed pottery, possibly dating from the Georgian or Victorian eras, along with tobacco pipes made between the 16th century and the 1930s. Each object provides a small clue about London’s working life, trade and changing relationship with the river.
History in ordinary objects
One of the strengths of Emmylou’s work is her focus on ordinary things. A discarded bone, a broken vessel or a pipe fragment may appear insignificant, yet these items can offer insight into food, industry, leisure and waste disposal in earlier centuries.
The Thames has long carried the physical remains of city life. Emmylou connects her discoveries with major moments such as the Great Stink of 1858, when pollution and sewage made the river a serious public health danger. Her approach makes history tangible and accessible, especially for young people who may find traditional lessons less engaging.
From personal hobby to published author
Emmylou documents her research through writing, video and social media, where she is known as Emmylou the Mudlark. Her knowledge led to the publication of A Guide to Mudlarking on the River Thames, giving readers practical and historical insight into the pastime.
Writing the book required remarkable discipline. During the 2025 summer holidays, she reportedly wrote between 1,000 and 2,800 words a day. Her achievement shows how a focused interest can develop into a meaningful creative project when young people are supported in pursuing it.
Protecting the river she explores
Emmylou’s connection with the Thames is not limited to archaeology. After seeing a swan mistake plastic for food, she founded the Wapping Plastic-Free Community through Surfers Against Sewage. The group organises riverbank clean-ups and supports local litter-picking initiatives.
Mudlarking also encourages patience and mindfulness. For Emmylou, time beside the river offers a break from school pressures and the chance to walk, observe and think. The activity is both educational and restorative, while her environmental work demonstrates how curiosity can lead to practical community action.
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The lasting lesson from a young historian
Emmylou Vaxby’s journey shows that positive news is not always about spectacular breakthroughs. Sometimes it is about a young person developing expertise, sharing knowledge and helping protect a local environment.
Her work connects the past with the present: historic objects explain how London once lived, while river clean-ups help safeguard the Thames today. For anyone seeking a positive news digest filled with hopeful ideas, her story offers a clear takeaway: curiosity can uncover history, strengthen communities and inspire meaningful action.
