THE MUDLARKS: A memory of Portsmouth

The Mudlarks

A Memory of Portsmouth.

We used to go down to Sallyport from 1954 -1958 ..there were a lot of local 'urchins' called the 'Mudlarks' who would stand in the knee deep, sloppy black mud below the pier to the ferry when the tide was out and people would throw them pennies which they had to find in the mud.They'd end up covered from head to foot. A lot of them had great characters and had developed great 'carny' skills to get people to toss them money.

My step aunt, Linda Goldsmith knew most of these kids 'cos she taught them at the nearby elementary school.

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Added 26 January 2008

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The beach under the pier at Sally Port was shingle. The mudlarking took place by the Isle of Wight and Gosport ferry jetty, at the place known as "the Hard" inside Portsmouth Harbour where, in olden days ships used to be beached on the hard slipway for cleaning the ships hull.

By trs45 on Sun Feb 1st 2015, at 12:46 pm

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You are absolutely right and thanks for reminding me. I never knew how 'the Hard' got it's name either. Now it makes so much sense.

By Dylan Rivis on Sun Feb 1st 2015, at 4:08 pm

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