Farmer Brown and how Sainsbury’s have something to teach landowners

Dear Fellow Landowners,

If you really MUST trust someone to metal detect your land (despite the fact Sainsbury’s don’t trust a single person not to pocket stuff) please see this recent enquiry on a detecting forum:

“I informed the land owner of my find and he has asked to see it which of course isn’t a problem, However he then asked if Id give him details of where it had been found along with any information as to its age etc as his young grandson would most likely love to have such a brooch to show his teachers and friends. As for me Id rather keep it and add it to my collection. Should I ask the landowner for half of what I deem it to be worth (Id say around the £100 mark) which might make him think twice about my having permission to detect or just hand it over to him? On the other hand I could put it down to experience and say bye bye to the brooch and tell him sod all from now on.“

A moral maze, eh? And bear in mind, if someone may be reluctant to show you something worth a few pounds they’re JUST as likely to do the same with something worth hundreds of thousands, causing a financial loss to you and a cultural loss to everyone.

If in doubt, why not write to the Portable Antiquities Scheme with the detectorist’s name and address and ask if THEY will vouch for him. (Clue: they won’t. They’re as sensible as Sainsbury’s).

Silas Brown, Grunters Hollow, Worfield, Salop

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More Heritage Journal views on artefact collecting
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