All our articles from 2005 onwards on unnecessary exploitation and damage to the buried archaeological resource for recreation or profit – presented as a foil to the shameless pro-detecting public noise from detectorists and PAS…
2023
Metal detecting rallies: cui bono?
Rotary Clubs, the biggest source of lost information.
Treasure Payments to detectorists: testing the reality.
An archaeological site stripped bare. How clever.
A solution to the decline in UK bird numbers
They want to make metal detecting less stressful!
Sunday Reverie: In the bottom 10% of countries globally
Sunday Reverie: “Wee sleeket, cowrin, tim’rous beastie …”
The folly of analysing the tip of an iceberg
NE Lincs Council gets it!
Sunday reverie: “Coy bumbarrels, twenty in a drove
Sunday Reverie: What immortal hand or eye …
Praising metal detecting without doing so.
The crux of the problem with metal detecting.
Warning: motivation revealed!
Conservation just won’t work unless conservationists do it.
Anyone for telling the truth about metal detecting?
Treasure Act being widened – but will Diggy Darren be bothered?
Spot the archaeologist!
Why must you tar us all with the same brush?
Charitywashing
The Staffordshire Irony, ten years on.
Any chance of less noisy metal detecting?
Moth Recording
Further losses from the Staffordshire Hoard
Eight years of blackmail threats
A new year but the same old metal detecting stolen valour.
2022
A Review of “The Detectorists Christmas Special”
In defence of the Land of Lost Content
NCMD comes up with a fresh excuse
Outrageous in US and yet …
Lets put it in perspectiveRemember when Farmer Brown held a detecting rally
Dodgy metal detecting claims
Paying oodles to take away unshown
Damaging Christmas gifts for metal detectorists
A secret metal detecting rally today
Pitiful and damaging advice to farmers
Farmer Brown: a question unanswered since 2014
Has the scale of losses been misrepresented?
The Society of Antiquaries: what farmers should be told about metal detecting
The day no one turned up for a detecting rally
No respectful pause in metal detecting
Why no more TV programmes about detecting would make sense
Want to go metal detecting? Who can blame you?
Metal detercting good for mental health? No
Have police and press given up recruiting for detecting?
New TV detecting programme. Come off it.
New detecting programme previewed by a detectorist
A metal detectorist confesses
Local Authority metal detecting policy in shambles
Corfe Castle> what an ironic place for Festival of Archaeology
Butterfly decline: the role of citizen scientists contrasted with exploitation
Triphena Farmer Browns mum
Wonderful donation by detectorist
The old metal detecting fib at The Minions
How come questions can be asked in Oslo but not here?
Time the public was told Treasure Rewards are protection payments?
Guarding the land for the rest of us
How many Unconsciable abusive contracts exist in metal detecting?
Paying treasure rewards is a pointless waste of money. Shock horror.
There’s stolen heritage and then there’s stolen heritage
Proof that the Staffordshire Hoard can be easily stolen
British History hugely damaged by Venn diagram
Staffordshire Hoard: damn right.
Let’s ban the word nighthawking (the police agree)
Still happening: historicide, the erasure of history
Farmer Brown: detectorist claim farmers are uncultured fools
Official delays causing damag to heritage – detectorist
Making sure the public don’t know what they’re finding
A detecting rally just a mile from Salisbury Cathedral
Yet again the British Museum has caused overall damage to heritage.
The British Museum Baloney Factory
Detectival: a new low.
Detectorist: tell the farmer NOTHING.
Why no adequate outreach on detecting forums?
Metal Detecting: the Irish have some words for it.
For want of a ha’porth of tar the rest of the Staffordshire Hoard must stay buried
Wow! Metal detecting figures unspun
Farmer Brown and Sainsbury’s
Time for CBA to put right its damage
Which country trashes its heritage most?
The ubiquitous lie
Archaeologuists and police fail to tell the truth about detecting
The unheeded drum 57
2021
Sad
A rival to the NCMD is being formed!
Still no warning to farmers about claims of “false valour”.
The metal detecting lie
Less praise for Wayne please, more for Kempsey.
10 yrs ago we challenged detectorists to PROVE they weren’t in it for the money.
A sad 20th anniversary for Britain’s heritage and reputation
The proposed Detecting Institute is “on its way”. But is it?
For just a few quid you too can search for the Staffordshire Hoard
British metal detecting in a global context
Looting on the cheap
A sad anniversary
Should detectorists get PAS for free?!
“The epitome of improbable luck”
Of course! We should license landowners not metal detectorists
Once and for all, licensing of detectorists won’t work
Very good news for metal detectorists?
Ireland: a refreshing lack of blather
National Council for Metal Detecting confesses at last!
One of the archaeological finds of the century
How many millions have landowners lost in this way?
Metal detecting: as promised yesterday
Two decades of untruths being told to landowners
At least they didn’t take the horse!
Bonkers Britain? Is this how the world sees us?
Education, education, education: is that really what metal detectorists need?
How come you never heard of laundering by find spot falsification?
Spring Detectival: 11 records only?
Did you know, metal detecting rallies are now lasting A WEEK!
Another case of fundraising in response to blackmail being painted to the public as “saving”.
What a difference24 hours make
Tick, tick, tick. The country that let it’s heritage be removed.
Wise words from a detectorist
British metal detecting through an Irish lens
Britain finally loses it
Glastonbury metal detecting crime
Farmer Brown: landowners, how about protecting Britain’s history from Britain’s negligence?
Makes you wonder …
Searcher Magazine runs feature on how to break the metal detecting code of practice!
Why would you keep quiet about the location of a rally?
What’s worse than losing hedehogs and dormice?
Farmer Brown: Joy over one sinner who repenteth (revisited)
Just Clear a Grannys Loft.com
Detectival: Day 2
Right now, metal detecting is happening on THIRTY SEVEN fields near Henley
Durham Council voices the reality
Metal detecting: the end of an era?
Government “determined to protect”???
Archaeology no longer to be studied, just mined for money?
A tale of two British auctions
Guess which country doesn’t call “gathering at a secret location to dig up archaeology” looting?
Flawed metal detecting assurances: who benefits and who loses?
“Papal blessing” conferred on 27,000 detectorists.
Fact-blindness: the damage that exceeds nighthawking.
Saying what oughta be about mass metal detecting as a means to stop nighthawking
Detecting rallies to be licensed? Heaven forfend!
Back to Moreton in Marsh yet again
Large scale detecting rallies to be banned, surely?
Five porkies detectorists like to tell
Now let’s go oiking in Moreton in Marsh
The sad story of the temporarily responsible landowner
More on today’s pay-to-dig metal detecting rally
A very British tragedy: but who has noticed?
Time to cut the NCMD out of the loop?
Historicide: the erasure of History
A new reform: simple, sensible, equitable and very, very effective!
Farmer Brown: the visible difference between charity rallies and cons.
“People have a moral obligation to their heritage!” Duh!
Metal detecting in Portsmouth: better but inadequate.
Late-night metal detecting: if it walks like a duck …
Why the Government is profoundly wrong to allow detecting to restart so soon
Metal detecting “Institute”: a well-intentioned turkey?
Some perspectives on the scale of heritage loss
Big metal detecting digs “like organising theft parties”
Nine years on, EH, CBA and PAS still failing to protect landowners. Why?
Let’s get detectorist Mariusz Stepien to find the rest of the Staffordshire Hoard
What is going on in Bromsgrove?
CBA opposing cuts to archaeology while supporting more money for detectorists!
The Staffordshire Hoard: abandoned to crooks?
Metal detecting, pork chops and blood money
The BAJR Field Walking Guide: proof we’re getting nowhere.
The Long Man of Wilmington and a massive heritage damage cover-up
“Dane geld extra”: the reality of expanding the definition of “Treasure”
Four headlines and a truth
Anyone care? Britain on course for only 1 in 12 artefacts being recorded
Is this the time to further enrich moral pygmyism?
The admission that rallies are malign: 5 questions not answered in The Times
AT LAST! Britain condemns detecting rallies!
Metal detecting: this year the Treasure Act is to be amended, so …
Metal detecting: New Year, no change – in fact heartbreakingly worse.
2020
Nighthawking: Four deliberate fibs found on Wikipedia
We Rosbifs can do better than that!
Metal Detecting: Well done Sir!
Confirmation that licensing of commercial rallies would be damaging
More Treasure rewards? Luverley!
Britain’s self harm deepens and no-one is doing anything about it
Guffaw, guffaw says a detectorist about Stonehenge
Farmer Brown: beware of untruths.
Petition to allow metal detecting to continue during lockdown
Heritage Journal supports actions by PAS
Squeezing every penny out of a pay-to-dig rally
Intelligent moral detectorist spotted
Another innocent community put at risk
Shropshire and Glos locals put at risk today by detecting rallies
Serrated spades
Heritage Journal Metal Detecting Club (2)
The Heritage Journal has launched a metal detecting Club!!
Metal detecting fib foiled at last.
Metal detecting and civilisation: a revealing silence from PAS
Right now in Wiltshire archaeology is being damaged
Detecting rallies feared to be health threat to locals.
NCMD warns members against reform!
Landowners misinformed
Govt locks down most metal detecting events but not rallies!
Britain now a world leader in conservation!
Good for you Mr Detectorist but why ask for money?
Bad news for heritage protection in UK?
Why deny laundering by findspot description happens?
Metal detectorists target Silbury Hill
Rotary Club detecting rally cancelled! Was it something we said?
Metal detecting rallies: “seedbeds of human generosity”!
Metal detecting and the VERY annoying portable antiquities scheme
Rotary clubs: enabling detecting rallies and causing heritage damage
German eBay protects Germany and damages Britain
PAS in public appeal for financial support!
The Self-written Highways Code Scam!
Two locations, 70,000 hours of metal detecting
A Conservation Competition
Angela Merkel’s wise words
We’ve miffed the PAS. Good!
PAS jubilates while wearing blinkers
That Big Question answered
Farmer Brown: a lollypop to anyone who can answer this.
Wayne from Wallasey’s first visit to Wilts
The metal detecting “engagement with landscape” fallacy.
Justice for landowners!
Farmer Brown: DON’T sign a finds agreement with a metal detectorist.
“Heritage Journal correct” implies PAS. Quietly.
A half-right letter in the Guardian.
A new set of stamps but no Crosby Garrett helmet
More failure to tell farmers
Government not properly briefed on detecting. Again.
PAS’s commitment to Archaeology is about to be tested in public!
Has PAS forgotten why it was created?
Heritage Journal Course for Detectorists
Metal detecting is back. Because it’s wholesome?
Time to announce there will be no more commercial detecting rallies?
Farmer Brown: how to help charity and history through metal detecting
Farmer Brown: something to keep in mind when the crisis ends
Farmer Brown: a 6-year-old mystery solved
Detecting forum admits detecting still going on.
At least we’re not ignored abroad. Merci Happah!
One thing to be glad about
Coronavirus and Detecting: one more thing to do
Britain abandons recording yet metal detecting persists!
Detectival rally cancelled at last
Detectival: shameless organisers still determined not to cancel
Spring Detectival still on despite health crisis
Metal detecting and the CBA’s new leadership
“Metal detecting enthusiasts”: the new unreality.
Grubby detectorist oiks attack Old Sarum. Yawn.
Metal detecting: French fools.
Demolishing the excuses
The ransacking of Boxted
Brexit: a triumph for Britain’s detectorists but a victory for European culture
Careless (or selective) words cost culture.
Time to re-think treasure rewards?
Metal detecting in aspic
PAS gives catastrophic advice to detectorists AGAIN!
Metal detecting “in the public interest”!
In praise of Shropshire council, heritage guardians!
2019
A Hogmanay word from Farmer Jock Brown
An end of year impossible puzzle
Was there a pragmatic decision to recover only PART of the Staffordshire Hoard?
Transparency Bill to make it harder to steal from our cookie jar
How dare archaeologists go on strike this week? Well …
Farmer Brown is feeling Christmassy!
Helen Geake to stand for Parliament.
The extra heritage risk posed by detecting holidays
At last, knowledge theft recognised as a serious crime
Metal detecting time travel in Essex!
A foolproof test of detectorists’ honesty
A Conference on rare egg collecting
Confirmed. The Staffordshire Hoard searches WERE in adequate.
Brexit looms. What now for metal detecting?
Uncouth Britain, where 78-year-old detectorists quarrel over their preciouses!
Heritage Journal announces online metal detecting course.
Why the official Advice to Landowners puts heritage and farmers at risk
Grossly incomplete Heritage at Risk list published
Six ways metal detectorists are misleading landowners
Staffordshire Hoard: less talk, more walk?
A reminder that artefacts are culture for all not prey for individuals
Portable Antiquities – not a new problem
One more aspect of metal detecting archaeologists need to worry about
The Dishonesty Code
Detecting Holidays for Americans with blinkers
A detecting rally a mile from Salisbury Cathedral
The Staffordshire Hoard: no we won’t desist.
Has the Chew Valley Hoard revealed something else important?
Mystic Harry predicts
A warning from a friend
Why unsupervised digging of the Chew Valley Hoard should be punishable
Monitoring the Staffordshire Hoard field
Banksy and Vaizey
A plea for protection of the remaining Staffordshire Hoard by People Power!
Can recreational removal of cave art be “responsible2?
Let’s make egg collecting great again!
Firefly stealth devices!
Hot spots: how about it PAS et al?
PAS now providing respectability for damaging the NON-METALLIC record as well!
Landowners: please don’t be an accessory to a heritage crime.
“Security” at the Staffordshire Hoard site?!
How much of the Staffordshire Hoard has been stolen?
One-eyed heritage protection
PAS flogging a putrifying horse
Two different sorts of archaeology
“Steer clear of this bloke!”
Not all Finds Liaison Officers are the same
Are detecting rallies seedbeds of human generosity?
Farmer Brown: bumpkins and heroes
Farmer Brown puts a cat among the pigeons!
Metal detecting: the pity of it.
Farmer Brown: a foolproof way to ensure metal detectorists are honest.
Payment for metal detecting and payment for not metal detecting!
40 years of holiday extraction by portly American baseball-hatted heroes.
Should archaeologists get Treasure rewards?
Beware the “democracy” excuse.
Farmer Brown; two spoons of heritage poison from PAS
Detectorist threatens CBA and Rescue!
No need to reform detecting? Really?
Farmer Brown: a word about metal detecting “certificates”.
Rescue signals it thinks a detecting Institute isn’t viable?
A better way to prevent knowledge loss
Crass detecting holiday for Americans featured on prime time TV
Remember Iraq 13 April 2003
Rescue’s AGM to consider amending Rescue’s conservation views!
PAS takes detectorists’ side against landowners – yet again!
As if Britain hadn’t been humiliated enough this week!
But WHY did Cadburys do it?
The shame isn’t Cadburys it’s that Cadburys hadn’t been told!
Advice on how to avoid “prying eyes” when exporting cultural goods!
Farmer Brown’s mum: Plain speaking about imminent reforms to detecting.
Artefact Erosion Counter 400,000 too low since July?
The treasure reform’s greatest benefit that no-one has mentioned
Metal detecting reform:the evidence that won’t be offered.
Detecting to be reformed at last – but to what purpose?
Plans to regulate metal detecting condemned
Rehabilitation of metal detecting – at last!
No PAS, it’s not we who are the problem!
Sweden being asked to give itself the British disease
More signs that treasure rewards will soon be slashed?
Metal detecting: silence is complicity
Farmer Brown: are metal detecting rallies really insured?
Another Minister catastrophically mis-briefed on metal detecting.
Detecting forum removes images in a panic – but not fast enough.
Is Oswestry Britain’s unluckiest town?
2018
Metal detecting: which team will YOU support in 2019?
The detecting reality that abuse won’t remove
Heritage Journal helping Conservation Abroad?
If PAS gets Brexited can something good come out of it?
Treasure Rewards to be ending soon?
Oxford to offer courses in Archaeological posing
Closure of English Heritage’s Outreach Department: a sad anniversary.
PAS shifts position on metal detecting
Sainsbury’s to adopt Britain’s Treasure system? Shareholders livid!
PAS and The Treasure Registrar: more Sir Humphrey than Sir Humphrey.
Saturday moan
Is PAS paid to blaggard the non-detecting public?
Tension at the PAS Conference
Upton Upon Severn: a shortage of people willing to indulge in knowledge theft.
The moment of truth for British Archaeology?
What did Dr Mike Heyworth say yesterday?
I beg to differ with PAS
Heritage Journal announces support for sustainable metal detecting.
PAS now more pro-detecting than detectorists?
10 years of knowledge theft at a single farm…
Essex farmer to permit metal detecting rally for the TENTH time!
The crime you can’t be done for in the Cotswolds.
PAS muses whether detectorists will pay for the upkeep of PAS.
Metal detecting: all we want is sense and decency and then we’d shut up!
Farmer Brown: you’ll only get your property if you’re dead.
Six academics may wish to reflect ….
A question writ large in the sun drenched fields: “Why the hell defend “laissez faire”?
PAS now says it doesn’t matter if you don’t report your metal detecting finds!
An exciting new development in metal detecting worth millions to charity – Jason’s Rule!
For the avoidance of doubt: charity detecting rallies ARE a complete racket
Heritage hero to donate Roman gold ring to charity
Should those in receipt of public funds downplay the damage?
Metal detecting is marvellous (it says here)
Lovely weather to metal detect where it causes damage
Conservation Shame
Treasure without blather
Nighthawks are respectable detectorists….
National Trust behind the conservation curve – as so often.
PAS statistics: how many lies?
Heritage Crime: is the drip, drip, drip finally working?
Heritage Crime: a very British muddle
FFF (Farmer Fooling Falsehoods)
From Archaeology to Oikology – Britain’s retreat from learning
Hyperbolic and Sycophantic but the Journal’s still going strong
A self-explanatory detecting glossary
PAS’s greatest and most damaging failure
Selfless “archaeologists”: you decide.
France’s attitude on detecting is 7 years behind us!
Why can,t I metal detect on public land?
A detecting rally at Stonehenge
Warning. Blatant door-to-door scam!
The Fourth Plinth: an invisible reproach to Britain
A tale of erosion in three cities
New FLO facing difficult job interview!
The end of mass detecting rallies?
Why does “Metal Detecting” + “charity” give you so many Google Hits?
PAS: apology awaited.
PAS Manual: smile, whatever you think!
Farmer Brown: If it walks like an oik and talks like an oik ….
Hoorah! European Council for metal detecting makes suicidal alliance!
Heritage hero tells it how it actually is!
No more ivory or metal detecting items on TV antiques auctions?
How many “legal” detectorists are looters?
Farmer Brown: more evidence Sainsbury’s SHOULD be in charge of detecting
Let’s put Sainsbury’s in charge of metal detecting!
Establishment STILL betraying farmers
Seriously America, stop moaning!
There’s a new metal detecting code – first the good news
2017
Britain’s heritage now being stripped on an industrial scale
Official advice to detectorists: act as if farmers have no rights!
Metal detecting and terminological inexactitude.
The Treasure Registrar: fake news and misleading the taxpaying public.
Farmer Brown:”Oiks” is far too kind.
British detectorists to adopt heritage friendly reforms. (In a dream).
Treasure Registrar tells it how it isn’t.
Another day, another metal detecting racket
The Portable Antiquities Scheme’s second greatest failure
Local Authorities and metal detecting: a proposal
Dear Metal Detectorist
Nighthawks exonerated!
Holes in history: Mongolia defends, Britain pretends
Artefact hunting: who should make the rules?
Heritage theft: why can’t we ID these people?
Archaeologists deliver “low blow” to metal detecting
Shouldn’t the main beneficiaries of rallies be landowners and the public?
Ivory trade banned but artefact humiliation remains
Hurrah, a journalist who didn’t get the memo
I’ve dug up a chuffing skull with a coin in its mouth
BBC Twisted History Magazine
Shock horror – 130 historic relics dug up and sold
PAS partners supporting it at £0.0004 per week.
Stupid Mexico gets tough on culture crime
Detectorists deny exporting the British desease
Egypt loses 33,000 artefacts whereas Britain…
Treasure heroism; BEST TELL THE TRUTH?
Farmer Beown: beware “historians” and “charity workers”
Accepting £1,000 to allow detecting may cost you dear
Britain now has a hoiking exchange
Thhe Big Question
Bet no farmer has ever been told about this
The circus even North Korea won’t tolerate
No reward for detectorists?
Two faces of threasure finding
Heroic finders and praiseworthy PAS
Metal detecting: Six words that still can’t be said https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2017/06/18/metal-detecting-six-words-that-still-cant-be-said/
When deep ploughing is ransacking https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2017/06/17/when-deep-ploughing-is-ransacking/
Nighthawking is about to become highly risky https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2017/06/10/nighthawking-is-about-to-become-highly-risky/
Farmer Brown warns: do not let detecting finds off your farm unseen https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2017/06/03/farmer-brown-issues-a-warning-to-colleagues/
Further compelling evidence of massive daily harm to heritage https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2017/05/29/further-compelling-evidence-of-massive-daily-harm-to-heritage-how-much-more-is-needed/
From the Horse’s Mouth: the future of commercial artefact hunting in Britain https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2017/05/27/from-the-horses-mouth-the-future-of-commercial-artefact-hunting/
Metal Detecting: time to put farmers in the saddle? https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2017/05/20/metal-detecting-time-to-put-farmers-in-the-saddle/
Director of CBA asks: what shall we do about detecting rallies? https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2017/05/13/director-of-cba-asks-what-do-we-do-about-metal-detecting-rallies/
Out of the mouths of FLOs and dissidents https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2017/05/06/out-of-the-mouths-of-f-l-o-s-and-dissidents/
The insidious creep of the acceptance of knowledge theft https://wordpress.com/post/heritageaction.wordpress.com/62700
PAS performs another round of the Darwinian quango survival dance https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2017/04/22/pas-performs-another-round-of-the-darwinian-quango-survival-dance/
As if Dr Sam Hardy’s conclusions weren’t embarrassing enough for Britain https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2017/04/14/as-if-dr-sam-hardys-conclusions-werent-embarrassing-enough-for-britain/
Dr Hardy’s two detecting bombshells: what should happen next? https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2017/04/08/dr-sam-hardys-two-detecting-bombshells-what-should-happen-next/
A second bombshell for Britain from Dr Sam Hardy https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2017/04/03/a-second-bombshell-for-britain-from-dr-sam-hardy/
Britain is trying to export its mistake to Europe. https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2017/03/25/metal-detecting-britain-is-trying-to-export-its-mistake-to-europe/
Study says Britain’s laissez faire system doesn’t work https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2017/03/18/metal-detecting-study-concludes-britains-laissez-faire-system-is-ineffective-in-minimising-harm/
Heritage Action and the Portable Antiquities losses (by Paul Barford) https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2017/03/11/heritage-action-and-the-portable-antiquities-losses-a-guest-post-by-paul-barford/
Heritage Crime covered up https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2017/02/25/heritage-crime-covered-up/
Metal detecting Nirvana! “There isn’t no hard and fast rules”
The scourge of contaminated green waste: what YOU can do https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2017/02/11/the-scourge-of-contaminated-green-waste-what-you-can-do/
Farmland after Brexit. Oh dear. https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2017/02/04/farmland-after-brexit-oh-dear/
Damn fool farmer ripped off by metal detecting policeman https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2017/01/28/damn-fool-farmer-ripped-off-by-metal-detecting-policeman/
Bonkers Britain is open for business https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2017/01/21/bonkers-britain-is-open-for-business/
Metal detecting reform: China points the way https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2017/01/14/metal-detecting-reform-china-points-the-way/
So farmers are history hating ignorami are they? https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2017/01/07/so-farmers-are-history-hating-ignorami-are-they/
2016
Should we employ choirs of angels to praise detectorists full time? https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2016/12/17/should-we-employ-choirs-of-angels-to-praise-detectorists-full-time/
In defence of our national encyclopaedia https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2016/12/10/in-defence-of-our-national-encyclopaedia/
Farmer Brown: Charity Rallies – the damaging fiction no-one mentions https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2016/12/03/farmer-brown-charity-detecting-rallies-the-damaging-fiction-no-one-mentions/
A review of the PAS Conference 2016 https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2016/11/26/a-review-of-the-pas-conference-2016/
The wrong Portable Antiquities Conference is being held tomorrow https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2016/11/20/the-wrong-portable-antiquities-conference-is-being-held-tomorrow/
Breaking News: PAS debate in Ireland cancelled as British guest speakers “bullied”! https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2016/11/12/breaking-news-pas-debate-in-ireland-cancelled-as-british-guest-speakers-bullied/
Why is PAS lobbying against Europe’s conservation laws? https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2016/11/05/why-is-pas-lobbying-against-europes-conservation-laws/
The PAS Conference 2016: delivering the truth in code. https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2016/10/29/the-pas-conference-2016-delivering-the-truth-in-code/
Enhanced technology leaves remaining Staffs Hoard even more open to theft https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2016/10/22/enhanced-technology-leaves-remaining-staffordshire-hoard-even-more-open-to-theft/
Farmer Brown: a new detecting code! But will it be emasculated again? https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2016/10/15/farmer-brown-theyre-revising-the-detecting-code-at-last-but-will-it-be-emasculated-again/
Metal detecting: a miasma of statistics and lies. https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2016/10/08/metal-detecting-a-miasma-of-statistics-and-lies/
The Erosion Counter is wrong! https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2016/10/01/the-erosion-counter-is-wrong-but-not-in-the-way-they-say/
A very British spectacle https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2016/09/24/a-very-british-spectacle-hundreds-of-foreign-detectorists-helping-themselves-in-the-cotswolds/
French make fools of the Brexiting British. https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2016/09/17/french-make-fools-of-the-brexiting-british/
We’re an Exam Question! https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2016/09/10/were-an-exam-question/
PAS still promoting cranial trapanation. https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2016/09/03/5-years-on-and-pas-is-still-cheerleading-for-cranial-trepanation/
Metal detecting: redressing “the murder of memories” in Syria and Britain. https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2016/08/27/redressing-the-murder-of-memories-in-syria-and-britain/
Now TWO official bodies have shown Glasgow University is in the wrong! https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2016/08/20/now-two-official-bodies-have-shown-glasgow-university-is-in-the-wrong/
Farmer Brown: beware the maths! https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2016/08/13/farmer-brown-beware-the-maths/
Citizen conservationists? We accept! https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2016/08/06/citizen-conservationists-we-accept/
BM twigs about citizen archaeology https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2016/07/30/breaking-news-the-british-museum-twigs-at-last-about-citizen-archaeology/
British Museum playing supportive role in killing for fun? https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2016/07/23/british-museum-playing-a-supportive-role-in-killing-for-fun/
The Brexpig: not all bad. https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2016/07/16/the-brexpig-not-all-bad/
British Museum insults archaeologists https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2016/07/09/now-the-british-museum-insults-every-archaeologist-and-heritage-professional/
Please give an update on the #35,ooo stolen at Twinstead https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2016/07/02/please-give-an-update-on-the-35000-stolen-by-detectorists-at-twinstead-police-why-do-you-want-this-information/
Hurrah! A great day for metal detecting https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2016/06/24/hurrah-a-great-day-for-metal-detecting/
Kakistocracy rules! https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2016/06/18/kakistocracy-rules/
“Nighthawks” vindicated https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2016/06/11/nighthawks-vindicated/
How many British treasure rewards are far too high? All of them? https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2016/06/04/how-many-british-treasure-payouts-are-far-too-high-all-of-them/
What else can we offer you Mr Nighthawk? https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2016/05/28/what-else-can-we-offer-you-mr-nighthawk-luncheon-vouchers-subsidised-travel/
British artefact hunting “the envy of the world” https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2016/05/21/british-artefact-hunting-the-envy-of-the-world/
British Museum ignoring Ireland’s right to self determination https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2016/05/07/british-museum-ignoring-irelands-right-to-self-determination/
“Archae-ology for all”: a license to be ugly? https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2016/05/01/archae-ology-for-all-a-license-to-be-ugly/
The Finding a Hoard Guidelines reiterated https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2016/04/09/the-finding-a-hoard-guidelines-reiterated/
Silas Brown’s bloody scandal https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2016/04/02/silas-browns-bloody-scandal/
The wages of oikism https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2016/03/26/the-wages-of-oikism/
Farmer Brown: I ain’t signing that! https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2016/03/19/farmer-brown-i-aint-signing-that
Knowledge has never been more threatened https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2016/03/13/knowledge-has-never-been-more-threatened/
OFCOM opts to back yob culture https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2016/03/12/ofcom-opts-to-back-yob-culture/
L’Angleterre, ah, la perfide Angleterre
Farmer Brown: Britain’s selective view of Heritage Crime
Metal detecting and the polluter pays principle
Farmer Brown: a VERY unusual metal detecting club!
Archaeology (and avoiding it) made simple
A review of battlefield recovery
Another fine bash at Weyhill Fair
Tele-hooligans repeat the Lenborough lie
Official view of best practice amended
2015
Good news for archaeology! But will it be crushed?
Does a detecting club owe landwners £32500?
PAS is shrinking. It matters. What’s to be done?
Farmer Brown to speak at the PAS Conference!
PAS in a tangle: they say the Emperor IS and ISN’T naked!
Lenborough: a lesson unlearned
Why does no-one warn farmers to get independent valuations?
Mr Lincoln’s two opposite views of metal detecting
Nighthawking: it’s all hogwash!
Farmer Graham tells archaeologist Mark Horton …
“New PAS” lays bare the grim reality of their “partnership”. Deliberately?
Farmer Brown: metal detecting in support of the obnoxious
More myth peddling: two policemen and a detectorist
Three early tests for the new management of PAS
Myth peddlers: two archaeos and two detectorists
Archaeologist criticises Irish Detectorists. Rightly?
Farmer Brown writes to the new leader of PAS
Metal detecting: confessions of a crashing bore
Metal detecting: the unopposed march of the snook cockers
Misinforming the middle classes about heritage theft
Ten truths the new PAS must make clear
The undeserving hobby gets its just deserts
The true definition of heritage crime
Staffordshire Hoard under researched?
A history of metal detecting in 3 flyers
Rather sad – one village, two populations!
More stunning quotes from the new Culture Secretary
A Culture Secretary who understands?
Farmer Brown: spot the O’Porky
Shambolic call for legalisation of detecting in Ireland
Shameful heritage plunder near Avebury
Why misinform those who can end bad practice?
Next time you hear about metal detecting heroes
Portable Antiquities Scheme created in America
Nighthawks: the undeserving poster boys of heritage damage
Central Searchers – the evidence: you decide!
Lenborough Hoard: c’est foutaise!
Heritage thefts in Alaska, England and Wales
PAS to staff: “don’t mention the crooks”
Farmers are greedy and archaeologists are money-grabbing
My Heritage Will and Testament by Farmer Brown
Lenborough: “there was no way we could guard that hoard overnight”
Why DO British finders have the legal right to be wreckers?
Reckless removal of hoards: can APPAG help?
Hoard Hoiking: it’s not just the doing….
2014
A seasonal message to archaeologists
Is it “mean” to keep criticising PAS?
Hey, Alliance to Reduce Crime against Heritage, why so quiet?
Legally digging right now: an unknown number of wrong ‘uns!
Farmer Brown: a modern mystery
Time to pay detectorists to behave?
Wales: like Syria without the guns
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee!
Please help get Weyhill Fair scheduled
Now Weyhill Fair. Oh dear.
In Bonkers Britain conservation is gangrenous propogandist claptrap
PAS lines up with Tesco’s about taking goods home unseen
French accuse English of cultural piracy
Farmer Brown: 17 detectorists who have never found ANYTHING!
Erosion Counter reaches huge milestone but see who helped contruct it!
Britain’s “Grin and Bear it” solution to unmitigated destruction
Applying a DIM test to metal detectorists
Identify the MD muppet
An urgent message for British farmers
A Community Archaeology project to reduce nighthawking!
Glasgow University, nighthawking and moral philosophy
No, York University is NOT endorsing metal detecting!
Americans warned that conservation is a communist plot
Farmer Brown: metal detecting throws up a genius?
Brer Metal Detectorist asks for non-stick tar
Nighthawking and artefact theft: an open letter
Farmer Brown: Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear!
Guess the stone circle competition Part 2
Farmer Brown: For the Nth time, the finds are the landowner’s, OK?
Metal detecting: a crack in the dam?
Farmer Brown: Joy that a sinner repenteth (and a drinking song)
A proven way to massively increase English Heritage’s funding
Farmer Brown: silence is complicity
More academic discussion of Heritage Ethics!
Farmer Brown, artefact hunting and the pig that asks “Cui bono”?
Britain’s Portable Antiquities policy: an intimation of journey’s end?
So what IS “responsible detecting”?
Has Metal Detecting fallen prey to kakistocracy?
Metal detecting and a mess born of professional arrogance
Is there a hole in The Post Hole’s poll?
Heritage Journal declines to defend Artefact Erosion Counter
Farmer Brown to hold a metal detecting rally
How to set up a Portable Antiquities Scheme
Benefactors being slandered by beneficiaries?
2013
An end of year light at the end of the tunnel
Embarrassing Inconsistencies #3: licence and license
Farmer Brown: the “biggest detecting scam in the world” contest
No European culture thanks, we’re British!
So what exactly is our problem with artefact hunting?
Crosby Garrett Helmet: Rum and rummer
Farmer Brown: Heritage bloke admits he’s a bore
No need to apologise Mr Vaizey, you were a help
Ed Vaisey insults every archaeologist
The most irresponsible metal detecting events in the universe
Scouts metal detecting: to the parents.
Church Commissioners being short-changed by Mammon?
Farmer Brown finds the perfect question!
The Cacheology Society of the United Kingdom
Embarrassing Inconsistencies #1: the definition of Heritage Crime
Farmer Brown’s mum attacks historians and saints
Bettany Hughes damages archaeology!
Middle England mugged!
Farmer Brown gets VERY confused. Can anyone help him?
“Ethical detecting makes me want to throw up!”
At last, Paul Barford and Mike Heyworth in total agreement
Farmer Brown: “Think you’re insured against damage by artefact hunters?
Farmer Brown: “taking without permission is stealing – duh!”
Mumbo steps out of the shadows!
Another plea to the Archaeology Forum: action needed.
Lawful and awful
Spare a thought for the Finds Liaison Officers
Farmer Brown: why Somerset landowners should beware of history locusts!
Nighthawk issued with metal detecting permit
Farmer Brown on calls for a Twinstead dénouement without scruples
Central Searchers demolish the crass barrier again
CBA confirms the Artefact Erosion Counter is a “reasonable basis”!
Farmer Brown on why finds agreements should never be signed
A picture to be viewed with contempt
How to reduce nighthawking: stop using the word!
More nighthawking on the Staffordshire Hoard field
Gold! Do Britain’s Secret Treasures reveal Britain’s secret rift?
Recent nighthawking on the Staffordshire Hoard field
Why you might not get to know your FLO
Heritage High Treason in Bedfordshire?
Has part of the Staffordshire Hoard been stolen – UPDATE
Has part of the Staffordshire Hoard been stolen?
2012
Heritage crime and punishment gets a bit more logical
Breaking news: now here’s a funny thing
Is the end of “responsible metal detecting” nigh?
Heritage Action threatened on two continents
Hurrah! Reporting to PAS made compulsory!
A Landowner’s guide to Finds Agreements – Part 2
This morning Wiltshire and Britain are a little better off
“Theft from landowners”: how come no-one tells us farmers about it?
Nighthawk caught. Great job, but…
NCMD to make reporting all finds to PAS compulsory
Regton’s acknowledge Heritage Action was quite right
“Britain’s secret treasures” creates Brum boom
Now government promotes egg collecting for profit!
Hypocrites and heroes in Furness
Shambolic and inappropriate stewardship of potential Treasure
How simple logic exposes Britain’s portable antiquities falsehoods
A second open letter to the Heritage Forum
Don’t build jubilee beacons on heritage sites!
Wow! America says we’ve been right all along!
Does it matter to Britain if the Yanks are crass? Yes and no.
The STOP Campaign that didn’t get strangled at birth!
A NEW “Stop taking our Past” Campaign – this time with universal support!
A Landowners’ Guide to “Finds Agreements”(Part 1)
The mystery of the missing outreach
2011
BBC no longer insulting amateur archaeologists
Mass theft at Twinstead Rally and what it means
A way for artefact hunters to become utterly adorable
A way for artefact hunters to become lovable
UK Detectornet forum provides an excuse for irresponsible behaviour – again!
Metal detecting: a sad 10th anniversary
Guilty M’Lord…….and Please, Dr Heyworth…….and Please Prince Charles
Metal detecting: honesty IS the best policy.
Charity Metal Detecting rallies: a racket exposed.
Largest metal detecting forum admits major cover-up
BBC finally gets it – amateur archaeologists don’t pocket archaeology
French organisation condemns British promotion of Treasure Hunting
BBC misleads viewers – but who misled the BBC?
Sir Barry Cunliffe on the definition of heritage theft
The Heritage Sector’s rouge element
Three cheers for amateur archaeologists!
Big Society yes. No society, no!
Farmer Eric Robinson on the people who found the Crosby Garrett helmet
Metal-detecting – fantaisies-fictions-et-faussetes
A bit more evidence the tanker is turning?
Deep metal detecting: an open letter to the Archaeology Forum
Running detecting rallies: it’s a living innit?
The Erosion Counter – still ticking relentlessly despite the denials
2010
Association of Ethical Purchasers of British Portable Antiquities
Opposing certain heritage threats now “unaffordable”
Culture spokesperson gets mobbed in House of Lords
Ethical Metal Detecting Association launched!
Minelab announces a major and disastrous technological advance!
Beyond the mumbo jumbo – Part 2
Crosby Garrett helmet sold, museum loses out, hero gets rich
Beyond the mumbo jumbo – Part 1
A sincere apology from Heritage Action to metal detectorists
World’s patrimony still exposed to pillage
The Crosby Garrett Helmet (Hiccus!)
Good news: English Heritage to focus upon Education, Education, Education
Whose interest will PAS protect? Landowners or detectorists?
Metal detecting: a simple test of heritage heroism
Metal detecting: a letter to Ireland
Metal detecting: an Irish solution to an English problem (part 4)
Metal Detecting: An Irish Solution to an English Problem (part 3)
Metal Detecting: An Irish Solution to an English Problem (part 2)
Metal Detecting: An Irish Solution to an English Problem (part 1)
Central Searchers goes underground!
Metal detecting: a quiet earthquake
Quote of the Week: Lord Renfrew
Thatcher’s children return to Avebury 5 years and 265 years on
Nighthawks should be called “Site burglars” say detectorists. Wrong again!
More Wiltshire local history being flogged off “for charity”
Staffordshire Hoard: Parting the Piggy Bank
Heritage Action vindicated at Portable Antiquities conference
Largest detecting forum confesses to undermining PAS
PAS to support metal detecting sales push
Metal detecting and helping Mr Trump: two additions to the school timetable?
Wiltshire metal detecting rally flouts archaeological guidelines
2009
Metal detecting at the end of the noughties: bad just got worse
Metal Detecting: a letter to English Heritage
Staffordshire hoard: reward shouldn’t be £3.2m but £32m claims detectorist!
The Staffordshire Hoard and Detecting? My Irish Eyes see an Illegal Activity
Legalised metal detecting? “No thanks, we’re French (and care for our history)”
National Council for Metal Detecting say reward delays are “unacceptable”!
Detectorist Michael Darke on what his share of YOUR £500,000 means to him
Detectorists dig up 11,000 artefacts in two week period. Every fortnight!
Metal detecting: half a million artefacts removed since UK exited Basra
Metal Detecting: more evidence it’s all for the love of history?
Metal Detecting: now the dealers are heroes too!
Metal Detecting: support from abroad – but look who it’s from!
NEWS: Metal detectorist jailed for six months
Metal detecting for money: Isobel, 7, shames the sham heroes.
Metal detecting is purely about love of history: UPDATE
Metal detecting is purely about love of history: computer says no!
Mr Browning, heritage hero – UPDATE
French metal detectorists seek archaeological asylum in Britain!
Metal detecting: annoyed by the rules? Make up your own!
Nighthawking: much ado about the wrong thing.
Heritage heroism: it depends who you talk to.
At last! Britain to stamp on nighthawks
2008
Mr John Browning, true heritage hero
Heritage Action nuzzled by a dead sheep
Is a code for responsible detecting too much to ask?
Bound for the USA http://www.heritageaction.org/?page=theheritagejournal&id=181
2007
Ten million artefacts taken http://www.heritageaction.org/?page=theheritagejournal&id=174
2006
A very good day for metal detecting http://www.heritageaction.org/?page=theheritagejournal&id=148
Metal detectorists aim for a second own goal! http://www.heritageaction.org/?page=theheritagejournal&id=129
2005
Thankyou for your patience http://www.heritageaction.org/?page=theheritagejournal&id=18
Encouraging responsible metal detecting http://www.heritageaction.org/?page=theheritagejournal&id=94
Shameful heritage plunder near Avebury http://www.heritageaction.org/?page=theheritagejournal&id=73
The Heritage Journal 
3 comments
Comments feed for this article
21/04/2011 at 11:32
Jim Halliday.
For many years I have searched the fields around Malton & Norton with metal detectors and donated my finds to the local museum.
It is now to close because of lack of funding and the Esate want the building to use as a commercial property.
I may as well left the finds where they were.
http://www.gazetteherald.co.uk/news/ryedale/8984330.Malton_museum__in_closure_shock/
13/06/2017 at 09:12
sean hallywell
The biggest crime in metal detecting is the HUGE registered business called Lets Go Digging. these people are solely wanting to make the big bucks with no interest in the hobby whatsoever. People like Morley Howard who is [removed for legal reasons] if you want proof then just go to you tube and search for the sas ferret metal detecting. With up to 400 detectorists plundering the land on a single occasion amounts to the rape of the land with nothing getting recorded. want more proof then just look up Lets Go Digging facebook and see for yourselves. these people hide behind charities and are nothing more than greedy individuals just out for an easy buck. LGD have 4,000 members being charged £20 per year just for membership, then the members have to pay another £15 per day per dig, it’s £20 if your a non member, and digs are held almost everyweekend with camping weekenders thrown in. you do the maths and see how much cash is involved. you can also go to http://www.letsgodigging.com to see all the events they put on, you will be stunned at the amount of cash this business generates with [removed for legal reasons]
14/06/2017 at 06:04
heritageaction
No doubt some people want to make money but why would “no interest in the hobby whatsoever” be a criticism? No interest in “the resource” matters greatly, no interest in “the hobby” matters not a jot. In fact less than a jot – as becomes clear if one subsitutes “hobby” with “acquisition”.