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7 comments
Comments feed for this article
21/09/2011 at 19:37
Pam Braddock
I have been following Paul Barford’s blog for over a year and find it to be informative, knowledgeable and very very worrying in that he exposes the problems glossed over by those very people who should be shouting from the rooftops that metal detecting should be banned while there is still any archaeology left in the ground in England.
I am truly horrified about what has happened over the last few days and hope that the culprits can be found an punished and hope that Paul will be back soon shedding some light on these shady activities and keeping the pressure up on the PAS
02/10/2011 at 14:51
eric avebury
[Originally posted 17/04/2010 at 10:44 pm]
Is there any consensus on how the law needs to be changed to stop mass detector plundering?
14/10/2011 at 10:28
heritageaction
Yes, Lord Avebury, there is indeed a worldwide consensus that the way to prevent it is to make it a crime. Except in Britain where the official position is that most detecting is “responsible” so most detecting should be applauded. We believe it is high time parliamentarians took a close look at both parts of that claim as it seems very clear to us that the official statistics indicate most finds go unreported and are lost to science. (See our Erosion Counter)
On the other hand, whatever does or doesn’t get reported it is entirely unclear to us how the progressive removal of a fragile and finite resource for personal recreation or profit is ethical or in the national interest and how such a policy, so at odds with policy elsewhere, can be defended.
23/05/2012 at 01:24
Susan matthews
I need help. My aunt Winnie Matthews owned part of Pendeen carne – the quarry and top. I want to keep it protected. I found Carnyorth carne on your site and her carne is nearby. My family are thinking of giving it to the NT.
How can we protect it and keep it as it is ?
23/05/2012 at 07:28
Alan S.
Susan, in the first instance I would suggest you contact the nice people at http://www.savepenwithmoors.com/ as they are local and aware of the current situation regarding plans for the moors. They should be able to advise you as how best to preserve the land for future generations to enjoy.
08/01/2013 at 02:23
john williams
I have read your write up with regards to metal detecting and find it a bit disturbing in that it paints a typical picture of a police officer stereo typing a group of youths.I myself started a metal detecting club called Timeline Detection in the Midlands in 2011 the aim of the club was to support needing charities by way of making payments to them by way of the admission entrance fee to detect then when the AGM came round the profits was distributed and I am pleased to announce this was carried out at every occasion and the receipt payments are on our site to support this.We have helped numerous charities such as Macmillan National Autistic society Parkinsons Hope house for terminal ill children air ambulance and so many more.I can also confirm we have indeed found hoards of treasure and have worked with our (FLO) finds liason officer and also Sam Moorhead and Philipa Walton from the British museum with a final outcome of value split 50-50 with land owner as per treasure trove rule.With regards to farmers and landowners we also work with Nature England so as to work with the law guide lines held upon us and the land owner.
It is very sad that metal detecting comes in for a constant bashing and never looked upon in a positive light after all so many people across the world walk into museums every day to admire the beauty of such bling found by detectorists yes I do not for one minute admit there are no crooks in the hobby but there are crooks in all walks of life just look at some of our MP’s through the years and our councillors need I say anymore Mr J Williams Timeline Detection in the Midlands.
08/01/2013 at 03:05
heritageaction
Firstly, metal detecting for charitable purposes does not make metal detecting outside of best practice right. Both PAS and the official Rally Guidelines say this. (Are your events held under the latter?) In other words, charitable purposes do not make metal detecting socially right.
Secondly, splitting Treasure 50-50 with the landowner is hardly praiseworthy, merely lawful.
Thirdly, Natural England rules are not law, they are what the farmer must keep to in order to receive taxpayers’ subsidies. Again, it’s hardly praiseworthy to keep to them.
“It is very sad that metal detecting comes in for a constant bashing and never looked upon in a positive light”
It is, but when 99.5% of finds are NOT Treasure items and the majority of them don’t get reported to PAS. they entirely deserve a constant bashing. When 99% of detectorists treat 99% of finds responsibly the bashing will miraculously stop. Simple really.