Metal Detecting Rally Report

Barrie Jones gave an account of the Metal Detecting Rally on 8^th November 2015

At the beginning of the current Rotary year, 1^st July 2015, the Foundation Committee discussed how to raise funds.  Robin Latham suggested we could look at a Metal Detecting event and he would allow us to use some of his fields.  We were already involved with the Food Festival in September so we said we would perhaps look at such an event later.

 In late August, we decided that we would go ahead with the event instead of having a concert, as the International Committee had already decided to do something in that form.

The last Metal Detecting Rally had been in August 2009 when the weather was dry and sunny.  Rod Stokes and his committee had covered their own catering and attendances were pre-booked as well as pay on the day.

Rod Stokes passed on information from that event and also a contact for Colin Sharratt the Metal Detecting advisor.  I contacted Colin and arranged with him to visit the proposed site.  He was very impressed with the area as the maize field had a part of a Roman Road from Chester to Northwich running through it.  There was also some good quality pasture land, making about 100 acres in all to use.

So, site fixed, now the hard work started.  When were we going to have the event?  November 2015 or February 2016?  Robin suggested it would be after the maize crop was brought in.  The Chairman decided it would be best in early November, the first Sunday, when the ground was still usable.  It had not crossed my mind about Bonfire Night or Remembrance Sunday.  We compiled a suitable advert for publication and Colin gave us two Metal Detecting magazines to contact, The Searcher, and Treasure Hunt.  I contacted these publications and forwarded the adverts for publication in October 2015.

Colin Sharratt had arranged for Vanessa Oakden, Archaeologist from Liverpool Museum to attend the event as the Finds Liaison Officer to identify the items found and the location of the finds, and I started receiving phone calls and e-mails from as far as Cornwall, Hull, Lincolnshire, North Wales and Carlisle.  Perhaps this was going to work.

Robin Latham had a caravan and ticket office which we could use.  I sorted some banners and suitable signs for directing the traffic.  We borrowed other signs from Dai Rees, a friend of Rotary, and toilet facilities were arranged.

Rob Eardley was given the job of finding a catering facility as we were not as adventurous as in 2009.  He came up with a suitable caterer, Beeston Catering.

All was ready and the week before the event the maize crop was harvested and the stubble cut short.

I had a phone call from Vanessa to say that BBC ‘Inside Out’ North West were wanting to come along as they were doing a piece on finds in the North West and wanted to do a background for the programme.  Ged Clarke from the BBC arranged to come down on the Sunday.  On the Saturday, the caravan and ticket office were manoeuvred on site.  It was too blustery to erect the gazebo for Vanessa.

Sunday dawned and the team set about with the last of the signs and readied for the Rally.  The gazebo was erected to provide cover for Vanessa.  It rained and was very windy but 130 metal detecting enthusiasts arrived.  Instructions were given and they were let loose.  We stopped for silence at 11a.m.  The film crew from the BBC took some camera scenes and when people found items, they were interviewed and sent to Vanessa, who logged the finds.  The rain stopped and the wind died down and the Rally became successful.

About 20+ items were found and these included:-

1500BC Bronze Age spearhead, 5 Roman coins, early silver coins, an Edward 111 groat, a shoe buckle and a large number of musket balls.

The Rally raised £897.02 after expenses.

I would like to thank everyone for their help on the day.

I believe the ‘Inside Out’ programme will be screened sometime in January 2016.

Barrie Jones

Chairman Foundation Committee.