The History Group meeting in October was entitled 'Life of a metal detectorist' and was given by Bob Burton who became a gardener 15 years ago. After finding several artefacts he decided to start metal detecting. He provided several tips for would-be 'detectorists'. The first was not to detect in solid or frozen ground as you are likely to buckle your trowel and the second was to learn to discriminate small items so that you do not spend time digging at every signal.
Most of the time Bob spends detecting within a few miles of his home and his hobby has, on occasion, proved useful at finding lost items such as keys and rings. One ring which he failed to find was lost in a pile of manure. However he did find it a couple of years later on the field where the manure had been spread! Amongst his other finds are musket shot, Charles II coins, Georgian garden ornaments, horseshoes and other items connected with horses such as bridles and bits.
He is very interested in the social history of his finds and explained the use of modesty lead buttons and barrel lock keys which he often discovers. The first were sewn into the hems of skirts to keep them weighted down (apparently the Queen still uses them) and the second were associated with the barrels provided for field workers to drink from. He stressed that permission is required before starting to detect and that anything over 300 years old must be recorded and reported to the local 'finds liaison officer'.
For anyone thinking of buying a metal detector, the magazines 'The Searcher' and 'Treasure' provide useful information. Not everyone can find something as rare as the 'Saxon Hoard' or the shield presently on display in the 'Bronze' exhibition at the RA (http://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibitions/bronze) but it can still be a very rewarding and interesting hobby.
Sue Skidmore
