Apparently, a hobby that is growing incredibly quickly.
I've been involved for about two years now with a group based on the Staffordshire/Derbyshire borders and have found some decent stuff including a cracking medieval crotal bell and half cut coin over a thousand years old yesterday. The social his behind them is fascinating.
I see there's a club based in Lancashire that seems to cover from the Fylde to Gisburn.
Anybody part of that club? Or do you prefer to detect individually?

I dare say we may be entering train spotter/ anorak cliche territory here but if you are interested, let's hear from you.

evensteadiereddie wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 20, 2025 9:27 am

Apparently, a hobby that is growing incredibly quickly.
I've been involved for about two years now with a group based on the Staffordshire/Derbyshire borders and have found some decent stuff including a cracking medieval crotal bell and half cut coin over a thousand years old yesterday. The social his behind them is fascinating.
I see there's a club based in Lancashire that seems to cover from the Fylde to Gisburn.
Anybody part of that club? Or do you prefer to detect individually?

I dare say we may be entering train spotter/ anorak cliche territory here but if you are interested, let's hear from you.

2 guys have been around Cliviger for the last month or so .

That's interesting, plenty of farming land round there dating back from the Bronze and Iron ages with a bit of Roman occupation thrown in.
There'll still be lots of stuff there .

I used to know an old boy back in the 90s who had been detecting for years. He’d turned up some unbelievable stuff and reckoned he could go in pretty much any field in the area and find a roman coin.

Never tried it but I did love all three series of the Detectorists on iplayer. Easy watching and gentle laughs.

Gutted they never made any more.

Okay if they stick to the rules.

Used to work with a guy who loved metal detecting he said once he dug down 145 foot down then realised he had a pair of Steel cap boots on utc

Absolutely right, Lip.
Even a bona fide group like ours has had to throw out one or two idiots who seemed to be more obsessed with finding valuable stuff rather than merely interesting, not filling in holes, straying "accidentally" into fields we've not got permission for and, probably, worst of all planting earlier and then "finding" an incredibly rare gold stater coin.
Too stupid to laugh at , though, they'd missed the tiny "R" denoting replica stamped into the coin.
But, to be fair, as always, the majority of punters are open- minded, interesting and helpful particularly if you're a beginner.

Guller Bull wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 20, 2025 9:45 am

Never tried it but I did love all three series of the Detectorists on iplayer. Easy watching and gentle laughs.

Gutted they never made any more.

What you got?!

JohnMcGreal wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 20, 2025 9:57 am

What you got?!

Ring pull , Fanta 83

I did notice on a detectorists' data site yesterday, a character called shaggybfc....
could it be?

Ring pulls, moo (cow ointment) tubes, chunks of lead - they all give off a hell of a signal which you can't ignore. Very frustrating.

evensteadiereddie wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 20, 2025 9:58 am

I did notice on a detectorists' data site yesterday, a character called shaggybfc....
could it be?

There can be only one

A little different but there seems to be plenty of magnet fisherman around the canal in the Burnley area.

Seem to catch plenty.

Quickenthetempo wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 20, 2025 10:40 am

A little different but there seems to be plenty of magnet fisherman around the canal in the Burnley area.

Seem to catch plenty.

It's an attractive hobby.

evensteadiereddie wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 20, 2025 9:27 am

Apparently, a hobby that is growing incredibly quickly.
I've been involved for about two years now with a group based on the Staffordshire/Derbyshire borders and have found some decent stuff including a cracking medieval crotal bell and half cut coin over a thousand years old yesterday. The social his behind them is fascinating.
I see there's a club based in Lancashire that seems to cover from the Fylde to Gisburn.
Anybody part of that club? Or do you prefer to detect individually?

I dare say we may be entering train spotter/ anorak cliche territory here but if you are interested, let's hear from you.

It's always something I've fancied having a go at and my teenage lad wants to have a go too. Any recommendations on a decent entry level detector?

Bullabill wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 20, 2025 11:00 am

It's an attractive hobby.

Yes, it is. I can't remember what pulled me to it, but it certainly sticks to you once you get going.

Quickenthetempo wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 20, 2025 10:40 am

A little different but there seems to be plenty of magnet fisherman around the canal in the Burnley area.

Seem to catch plenty.

Way worse than detectorists. Leave their crap all over the towpath.

dougcollins wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 20, 2025 12:03 pm

Way worse than detectorists. Leave their crap all over the towpath.

And I suspect they're the leading cause of EOD callouts!
(I always thought the junk was collected by British Waterways, and their 'cleaning up the canal' was viewed in a positive light. Maybe not.)

Archeology seems to have replaced classic History as the most popular form of history broadcasting. Time Team, Digging for Britain and the Detectorists certainly seem the vanguard.

My other half Natasha keeps on at me to get her a metal detector… I know it will result in my having to dig a lot of holes so I keep telling her I’m not allowed to dig in Library archives. I’ll give in eventually, but I keep telling her to join a club to see if she likes it first; there are a couple that meet in east Lancs.

Leon_C wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 20, 2025 1:14 pm

And I suspect they're the leading cause of EOD callouts!
(I always thought the junk was collected by British Waterways, and their 'cleaning up the canal' was viewed in a positive light. Maybe not.)

The magnet 'fishermen' (sic) are a different breed.

Literally out for what they can get. Don't argue with them.
,

For anyone interested in taking up detecting or just curious, I find this site packed with info and advice https://www.metaldetectingforum.co.uk/u ... mode=login

Leon_C wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 20, 2025 1:14 pm

And I suspect they're the leading cause of EOD callouts!
(I always thought the junk was collected by British Waterways, and their 'cleaning up the canal' was viewed in a positive light. Maybe not.)

It's canals & rivers trust now. Dredging professionally down is no substitute if enough people were to take up the hobby.

evensteadiereddie wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 20, 2025 9:27 am

Apparently, a hobby that is growing incredibly quickly.
I've been involved for about two years now with a group based on the Staffordshire/Derbyshire borders and have found some decent stuff including a cracking medieval crotal bell and half cut coin over a thousand years old yesterday. The social his behind them is fascinating.

Got any pictures of the finds and any more info on them Eddie?

What's a crotal bell?

Cheers, rowls.
A crotal bell is similar to a sleigh bell, used on a horse's harness to warn that it was heading your way. They date right up until the mid 1800s.
The one I found yesterday was 15 to 1600s so quite chuffed. And, after a good clean out, it still rings/ rattles like a good un.
The cut coin is a William 1 (of Alba, Scotland) penny, chopped I assume to make it a halfpenny. The guy died in 1214 and they continued to be minted in Perth until 1220 or thereabouts.
The token is a coin weight, the 27 denotes it's equivalence to a Portuguese gold coin very commonly used here at the time. These were used to make sure tiny slivers of gold hadn't been shaved off the gold coin.
These were all from yesterday which was a good day - you can, of course, go on digs and find nothing but (s)crap.
My most interesting find, for me, was a lovely cannon ball in the Peak District last Summer.
Like all the other stuff, however interesting or not, you can't help but think who was the last person to have touched this and what were the circumstances?

Longsider wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 20, 2025 11:14 am

It's always something I've fancied having a go at and my teenage lad wants to have a go too. Any recommendations on a decent entry level detector?

I'll get back to you , Longsider.

OK, there are a couple of ways you can get started.
I think the first step, assuming you're relatively local to Burnley, is get in touch with Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Detectorists' Club on FBk and post, explaining that you're thinking of starting up and could anyone please advise.
As far as I can see Unearthed UK at Preston is the dealership to go to if and when you want to buy new.
As with any hobby, I think it's a fine balance when starting out not to go mad in splashing out on gear that is too high spec for you initially.
On the other hand, you want a machine that will find you stuff if you're lucky enough to walk over it...
I've got a Minelab Vanquish 540 with a power pack, USB rechargeable, so you're not forking out on batteries, wireless headphones which cost about £25, a sturdy trowel £15 and a Garrett "carrot" pinpointer. Some guys have fancy spades to dig their holes, a decent garden spade - not too heavy - suits me fine.
That lot would probably cost you £ 600 but I'm certain you'll pick up a used one, or something like, for half that.
There are other Minelab detectors with a lower spec but this is the one that is so easy to use ( loads of vids on Ytube) and performs really well.
You don't want a toy.
You never know, one of the guys at HRV DC might know of a used one available, that's how I got mine. I think there are plenty come up on eBay if and when you're ready to commit.

evensteadiereddie wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 20, 2025 9:27 am

Apparently, a hobby that is growing incredibly quickly.
I've been involved for about two years now with a group based on the Staffordshire/Derbyshire borders and have found some decent stuff including a cracking medieval crotal bell and half cut coin over a thousand years old yesterday. The social his behind them is fascinating.
I see there's a club based in Lancashire that seems to cover from the Fylde to Gisburn.
Anybody part of that club? Or do you prefer to detect individually?

I dare say we may be entering train spotter/ anorak cliche territory here but if you are interested, let's hear from you.

Found any treasure?

No, not yet, it's still waiting for me....

Guller Bull wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 20, 2025 9:45 am

Never tried it but I did love all three series of the Detectorists on iplayer. Easy watching and gentle laughs.

Gutted they never made any more.

Excellent series in which they insisted on being called "detectorists".

I went metal detecting on Sunday with my grandson in a field in Gisburn, we found some silver fag packet paper. I also have a model train set & like bee keeping.
To keep a balanced life , I go on the Turf & get drunk

Haha, very good nonay,.

It's a hobby I guess in keeping with digging holes.

One of the great things about the Detectors TV show was how it portrayed the main characters.

It knowingly played on the "nerdiness" of the hobby but it also demonstrated how people who care about things and have passions and interests are themselves passionate, caring and interesting.

I love getting drunk as much as anyone but it doesn't make me interesting.

Interesting thread.

It's the sort of thing I've always been interested in but never got round to doing. I did spend a few of my high school years thinking I wanted to be an archaeologist but that never happened

You must have been jumping through hoops when you discovered the finds you've posted

Rowls wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 20, 2025 7:34 pm

One of the great things about the Detectors TV show was how it portrayed the main characters.

It knowingly played on the "nerdiness" of the hobby but it also demonstrated how people who care about things and have passions and interests are themselves passionate, caring and interesting.

I love getting drunk as much as anyone but it doesn't make me interesting.

I'm and angler, and I immediately felt empathy with the characters, though I probably like to spend more time alone than they do - in the programme, at least. I'm sure there are loads of solo detectorists.

Jakubclaret wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 20, 2025 7:23 pm

It's a hobby I guess in keeping with digging holes.

Aye to bury you and your rubbish arguments in....

Not done it myself but my Wife went with her Brother who detects on farmland in Lincolnshire. She found a few coins and he has found a few Roman coins and an Elizabeth 1 era silver coin

River Hunters is a really good watch too, underwater detecting and a history lesson every episode.

JohnMac wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 20, 2025 9:33 pm

River Hunters is a really good watch too, underwater detecting and a history lesson every episode.

Gary Bankhead is my neighbour

dougcollins wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 20, 2025 9:14 pm

I'm and angler, and I immediately felt empathy with the characters, though I probably like to spend more time alone than they do - in the programme, at least. I'm sure there are loads of solo detectorists.

Funnily enough, being a fly fisherman myself, I've often had this conversation with others about the similarities between the two hobbies.
The love of the outdoors, peace, no stress, meeting and chatting to decent, generously spirited people and, crucially for me anyway, never becoming massively depressed if I'm not finding much especially if others seem to be.
You're just one cast away or one sweep away from a fish taking or getting a good signal.

Been detecting since 1975 had some great finds over the years but living in colne you have to travel not a lot of early history and also deep soil , I’ve had Roman coins ,Bronze Age axe heads ,medieval hammered silvers up in the Yorkshire dales most of the time though we travel down to Wiltshire and Lincolnshire when the fields are ploughed , I go to Spain a few times a year as well to detect the beaches mostly in the sea had loads of euros and gold and silver jewellery, the machines I use are the minelab manticore and the dues 2

Cheers, CK, I did wonder if anybody fairly local to Pendle had done much detecting. It sounds like you've had a lot of success over the years, I'm a novice in comparison.
I'm fairly lucky down here here, there are four or five clubs within an hour's drive and I know we'd all prefer to detect our own permissions but they are notoriously difficult to get .
Plenty of history down here, the group I dig with most are working our way through a huge amount of land just outside Derby and everything, as you've found, is coming up.
I am tempted , maybe on a home match weekend, to come up , stay overnight and take in a Hyndburn club dig.

evensteadiereddie wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 21, 2025 9:00 am

Cheers, CK, I did wonder if anybody fairly local to Pendle had done much detecting. It sounds like you've had a lot of success over the years, I'm a novice in comparison.
I'm fairly lucky down here here, there are four or five clubs within an hour's drive and I know we'd all prefer to detect our own permissions but they are notoriously difficult to get .
Plenty of history down here, the group I dig with most are working our way through a huge amount of land just outside Derby and everything, as you've found, is coming up.
I am tempted , maybe on a home match weekend, to come up , stay overnight and take in a Hyndburn club dig.

Been on a couple of hyndburn digs but prefer to go on our own permissions , off down Wiltshire next weekend the land down there usually gives us at least 10+ romans each and a couple of hammereds I’d post some pics up if I knew how to do it

Claret knight wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 21, 2025 8:23 am

Been detecting since 1975 had some great finds over the years but living in colne you have to travel not a lot of early history and also deep soil , I’ve had Roman coins ,Bronze Age axe heads

Bronze Age axe heads - you are so fortunate. I'd be grateful just to hold a genuine one, never mind actually finding one.

When you say Colne - I bought a metal detector from a shop in Colne when I was in my early teens. The only thing I found has a couple of old pennies in our back garden and old horseshoes and nails on a bit of a smallholding. I never joined a club, and obviously I had no transport of my own. Anyhow, this thread has kind of rekindled my interest.

By the way, I once found a lovely-worked flint scraper near where a riverbank had slipped.

Clovius Boofus wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 21, 2025 9:26 am

Bronze Age axe heads - you are so fortunate. I'd be grateful just to hold a genuine one, never mind actually finding one.

When you say Colne - I bought a metal detector from a shop in Colne when I was in my early teens. The only thing I found has a couple of old pennies in our back garden and old horseshoes and nails on a bit of a smallholding. I never joined a club, and obviously I had no transport of my own. Anyhow, this thread has kind of rekindled my interest.

By the way, I once found a lovely-worked flint scraper near where a riverbank had slipped.

The shop in colne was on Albert road it’s now a music shop , I bought my first one from a shop in Nelson it cost £36.00 Christmas 1975 , my newest one costs £1700.00 they usually pay for themselves after a few visits to the Spanish beaches

Excellent, I guess that's the Manticore.
I did wonder about upgrading from my V540 after one too many quiet digs, you know, when you start questioning the machine and your own ability but this week has kind of renewed my confidence.
I probably will, eventually, I'm thinking of the Equinox 800 perhaps.
Just a final question, how do you get permissions long distance?
Have you contacts down there or do you just call in on the off chance?

Jakubclaret wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 20, 2025 7:23 pm

It's a hobby I guess in keeping with digging holes.

Talking of bells.......