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Steve Rice has been Metal Detecting for over 20 years. He is a member and past chairman of the South Lancs and Cheshire Metal Detecting Club.

Steve will endeavour to keep everyone up to date with his finds (and other members' finds) as well as the hobby in general. He is also a keen Coin Collector and Historian and will keep you upto date with this also.

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December 2005 Archives

'Hawkeyes' the winner

Posted by ricey on December 29, 2005 4:49 PM

Well done to 'Hawkeyes' for predicting the first goal of the Everton v Liverpool Derby would be scored in 11 minutes.

She wins a signed copy of Bill Wymans Treasure Islands. It will be sent very shortly.

Regards
Steve

North Yorkshire Rally Aug 2006

Posted by ricey on December 29, 2005 4:48 PM

18th -20th August 2006

Northern England Weekend Searchers and Sir John Ropner

The Catherine Parr Rally

Bedale, North Yorkshire

Weekend £45 pre booked and £51 on arrival
Day Tickets £15 pre booked £17 on arrival

10am onwards

Running Water, Toilets, Catering, Licensed Bar and Live Entertainment

Free Camping from Noon on Thursday 17th August

There will be in excess of 1000 acres of land between Snappe Castle
and Thorpe Perrow Estate

All Members must be NCMD or FID Members

More Details Contact Norman 07786 727491

****Please remember other than the fact I am bringing this rally to
your attention I am not involved in the running of it in anyway -
please direct enquiries at above organiser****

Another Christmas Metal Detecting Cartoon!!!!

Posted by ricey on December 27, 2005 11:29 PM

Well I can't take all the credit for this cartoon. It was one I put up for a best caption competition. The amount of ideas were unbelievable. A few examples were:

So............. you going back for the spades or shall I?

I hear you can make a mint with these...

Are you sure Watling street comes this far north?

If you think I'm digging the target you've got another thing coming!

But the winner in my humble opinion was the one below and thus receives a copy of Bill Wyman's Treasure Islands Book - Signed by the man himself.

snowing.jpg


Regards
Steve

Chester Rally Cancelled

Posted by ricey on December 27, 2005 2:11 PM

Tommy Mac. has informed us that the club rally in Chester, scheduled for the 15th. of Jan.,has been cancelled. For more details please contact me directly or log onto the forum www.slcmetaldetectingclub.co.uk/phpbb

Regards
Steve

Metal Detectorists throw away Millions!!!!

Posted by ricey on December 24, 2005 12:53 AM

Is 2006 the year you can make a living out of Metal Detecting???

It is quite true to say that in the UK alone, there are Millions of pounds worth of pieces of scrap metal just lying around. Much of it is in Gardens, Parks, Farms, Commons, Beaches etc. Some of it has been lying there for thousands of years. Now it is not true that all detectorists finds are coins, brooches, rings etc. If that was the case then everybody would be doing detecting. In truth these finds only constitute a small percentage of finds made.

A lot of stuff found includes cans, bottle tops, iron, lead, etc. Some metal detectorists remove this rubbish and throw it away. Other less responsible detectorists just bury it again. This is a stupid excercise as quite often they will find themselves digging up the same scrap on their next detecting mission. So why would detectorists throw scrap away? Well quite often it is too much inconvenience. Maybe they only go detecting once a month and don't collect enough scrap to turn into cash. Maybe they don't understand the shear value of the metal they are throwing away. It is this and the different types of scrap metal that we will look at further. Here are a few different types of metal you might find:

GOLD
PLATINUM
SILVER
BRONZE
COPPER
ALLIMINIUM
IRON
STEEL
LEAD etc All have value.

In some cases such as gold you might only need as little as an ounce. In other metals such as Iron you may need to have 30/40 llbs to make it worth your while visiting a scrap dealer. In the case of Gold, Platinum and Bronze a visit to your local jeweller is probably your best course of action. As for Bronze, Copper, Alliminium, Iron, Steel and Lead then you would need to obtain a lot more in quantity. In this case you would usually need to bring it to your local scrap company by vehicle. Always be careful when handling any kind of metal. Wear Gloves. In all cases leave melting of such items to the experts - as harmful fumes can be emited. Good hunting and please look after our planet.

Ideas if you are looking to buy a Metal Detector for Christmas

Posted by ricey on December 21, 2005 2:27 PM

At this time of year many people buy Metal Detectors for Christmas. They often send me emails asking for advice on which ones to buy.

Twenty Years ago, today's detector user would have had to carry a box of tricks the size of a semi-detached house in order to attain the level of success he expects from even a simple inexpensive machine. The advent of the silicon chip however, has led to such technological advances that the most sophisticated detectors on the market weigh as little as five pounds.

It is fair to say that, as with most products.'You Gets What Ya Pays For!' ignoring specialist industrial detectors, hobby associated machines come in the price range £60 - £900+. The more you pay, the more sophisticated the detector....more depth penetration...more alternative settings to suit individual sites, such as; pasture, ploughed, beach and highly mineralised soil.

Looking at an average Top of the Range Detector. The facilities it has to offer are;

Depth penetration sufficient to locate coins and items smaller than a 5p several inches below the surface of the earth.


The ability to discriminate, by separating ferrous and non-ferrous signals. Thus, it is possible to tune out the signals received from iron and iron based metals, so that the detector will indicate only objects made from lead, brass, zinc, copper aluminium etc etc.


The ability to tune out the effects of the natural minerals in the ground, so that the signal penetrates it as easily as through air. Detector designers and manufacturers might be horrified to hear their products described in such basic terms. It's a little like describing a 'Stradivarius' as Just a fiddle.

Nevertheless, these are the basic features of good metal detectors, and the nuances of their capabilities are discovered only by the skilful and experienced user after many hours of on site trial and experimentation.

There are many makes and models of machine on the market. The majority being of British or American manufacture. There are also kits and plans available for those of an adventurous nature who wish to build their own. Some machines are simple to operate, although not deep-seeking. Other machines appear to be very complex but extremely sensitive in the hands of the technically minded or experienced user.

The choice of detector is all important. It is always recommended to those showing an interest in the hobby that they should talk to owners and try out a range of machines, thus avoiding the mistake of laying out hard-earned cash hastily on something which might not suit their particular needs.

One thing for sure is that whatever Metal Detector you buy DO NOT expect to find all kinds of things at once. You need to learn how to use your Metal Detector. You need to do Research. You need to be Patient and more importantly than anything else you need to enjoy yourself.

Christmas Cheers
Steve

November Competition SLC Metal Detecting Club

Posted by ricey on December 19, 2005 10:25 PM

Pre-1700 Find of the Month

Dolphin Brooch 10 points

Post-1700 Find of the Month

Bronze Cross 3 points
Decorative Stud 5 points
18th/19thC Copper lid 10 points

Pre-1662 Coin of the Month

Roman Denarius 5 points
James I Sixpence 10 points
Henry III Cut Half 1 point
Probus Coin 3 points

Post-1662 Coin of the Month

Bull Head Sixpence 1818 5 points
William III Shilling 1696 10 points
George II Penny 1742 1 points
William III Penny 1701 3 points

October Competeition SLC Metal Detecting Club

Posted by ricey on December 19, 2005 10:23 PM

Octobers Finds

Pre-1662 Coin of the Month

James I Half-groat 10 points
Edward II Penny 3 points
Henry VIII Penny 5 points
Edward III Half-Groat 1 point

Post-1662 Coin of the Month

1891 Victoria 3D 1 point
Victoria Florin 3 points
George III Shilling 1816 5 points
1934 Shilling 1 point
William IIII Shilling 1834 10 points

Pre-1700 Find of the Month

Medieval Mirror Case 5 points
Tudor shoe Buckle 1 point
Medieval Buckle Catchplate 1 point
2ndC Roman Artefact 1 point
17thC toy pistol 10 points
Medieval sword belt hanger 3 points
3rdC Roman disc brooch 1 point

Post-1770 Find of the Month

Mystery Artefact 3 points
Edwardian Medal 5 points
18thC Book Clasp 10 points

Christmas Cartoon

Posted by ricey on December 19, 2005 9:23 AM

Well folks here is the Christmas cartoon I've been working on. You'd be surprised how many people get Metal Detectors for Christmas, and by February because they haven't found anything, it finds its way into the loft. At this time of year please remember that a Metal Detector isn't for Christmas - it is for Life:-)

xmas cartoon.jpg

Christmas Cheers
ricey

Liverpool Halfpenny

Posted by ricey on December 17, 2005 6:47 PM

As Liverpool is an area that really came to life after the Industrial
Revolution, many of the finds are after the 1700's. In fact if you go
Metal Detecting on any of the local farms you are likely to find many
georgian coins, Many of these were dumped on local night soil (to be
discussed in a later article).

Full Article and Photo

Northern Pennine Silver: Where and How?

Posted by ricey on December 16, 2005 11:00 PM

A seminar to be held at the Northern Pennines Heritage Trust Centre, Nenthead, Saturday 8 April 2006 by the North Pennines Heritage Trust. This is a registered charity and worthy of your support.

______________________________________________________________________

The evidence for silver production from the northern Pennine orefield in the late medieval period has been addressed by both historians and geologists in recent years. Whilst there is strong documentary and statistical support for the position that the Northern Pennines were the major source of newly mined English silver in the late medieval period, that is not backed up by the geological evidence. The majority of the ores mined in the modern period were low in silver and there is, as yet, no evidence for significant quantities of silver-rich minerals at the shallow depths accessible to the medieval miner.

Although the quantity of silver produced during the 12th century can be estimated with some confidence we do not know the precise location of the workings. Neither can we be certain as to the nature of the ores worked, where they were processed, nor the quantity of lead which might have been produced as a by-product. Information is available on the organisational structure under which mining was carried out but there is currently little to indicate how it fitted into the social framework and upland agricultural practice.

This seminar is being held to consider the evidence for silver production and discuss how our understanding of mining in the area during the late medieval period might be advanced. The intention is to hear presentations from all those with an interest in the area - geologists, historians, archaeologists and mine exploration.

There will be no charge for the seminar itself - lunch will be available in the Centre cafe.

To Book
Please contact Sheila Barker, The Rise, ALSTON, Cumbria CA9 3DB; e-mail sheila.barker[at]cybermoor.org.uk

If you are interested in contributing
Please contact Dr Peter Claughton, Blaenpant Morfil, Clynderwen, Pembrokeshire, Wales SA66 7RE; tel. 01437 532578; e-mail P.F.Claughton[at]exeter.ac.uk

South Lancs and Cheshire Metal Detecting Club Christmas Party

Posted by ricey on December 16, 2005 10:40 PM

On Wednesday 14th December 2005 we held our clubs Christmas Party. It was a real laugh. I'd spent the night before up all night feeling quite ill and couldn't imagine being able to make it. However a quick visit to the Doctors in the morning sorted me out and I was able to take the short trip up to Runcorn.

There wasn't a lot of members there. Probably around 40 but those that were there were a good laugh and great company.

We held a raffle with prizes of £100, £50, and 4 x £25. As well as this the 3 lads who found the Gold Hoard during the year gave 3 bottles of malt. Nice touch from the lads I think. We also had a quiz with more drink as prizes - oh yes and roll the coin at the bottle of scotch too. Alan Turner won this contest and deservedly so. I tried but was still feeling a bit rough and never had the midas touch I had at previously Xmas bashes.

On top of all this we had a fantastic cold and hot buffet with all the trimmings. Catering was second to none.

We also had our final competition of the year but I'll write that up separately.

Best Wishes of the Season from myself and all at SLC Metal Detecting Club to all those who read this BLOG.

Regards
Steve

Musical and Moving Metal Detecting Cartoon

Posted by ricey on December 16, 2005 10:37 PM

Can I thank all those who have been in touch regarding the Metal Detecting Cartoons. I have now about 6 and am arranging to add a section to my site on www.treasurehunting.tv.

The latest one you will find herehttp://www.treasurehunting.tv/cartoon.htm

Thanks again
Steve

Another Metal Detecting Cartoon

Posted by ricey on December 9, 2005 9:59 PM

Well I think I speak for most Metal Detectorist's when I say I have seen many a farm that I'd love to detect on but have been unable to get permission from the farmer. I remember one particular farm near an old medieval church which I was sure would come up with some nice goodies. When I knocked on the door the farmers daughter answered. My charm didn't work on that day - but I did smile to myself on the way back to the car when I thought what might have happened if I wasn't happily married with 3 kids:-)

2treasure.jpg

XMAS RALLY, TUESDAY 27TH DECEMBER 2005 NORTH YORKS

Posted by ricey on December 8, 2005 9:00 AM

JUST HEARING OF:-

NORTHERN ENGLAND WEEKEND SEARCHERS AND F.I.D. ANNOUNCE
THIRSK CHARITY CHARITY RALLY, NORTH YORKS
TUESDAY 27TH DECEMBER 2005

CHARITY RALLY TO BE HELD AT THIRSK, NORTH YORKS ON THE ABOVE DATE FROM 0930 TO 1700.

THERE WILL BE NO FACILITIES ON SITE BUT THERE WILL BE A RAFFLE FOR A BRAND NEW T.V. WITH BUILT IN DVD AND A YEARS SUBSCRIPTION TO TREASUREHUNTING MAGAZINE.

GUARANTEED UNDETECTED LAND AND STRICTLY LIMITED TO 70 PERSONS.

DETAILS FROM NORMAN ON 07834652569...£10 PER DETECTOR

ALL IN AID OF PEGGY AND FRIENDS CHARITY FOR LIMBLESS CHILDREN

Old Coin Hoards found in Liverpool

Posted by ricey on December 2, 2005 4:34 AM

I've mentioned certain coin hoards that have been found in the North West, but haven't actually touched on any having bound found in Liverpool itself.

Recent reserach on the web came across a very interesting article by Mike Royden. He says

'Early settlers taking advantage of the Otter's Pool's resources in the creek and the Mersey below may well have been Roman. Evidence of occupation was discovered last century, when in 1863 a gardener employed by Oliver Holden at his house bordering the inlet, turned up with his spade a hoard of 12 brass Roman coins dating from the years 268-324 A.D. Two were 'lost' shortly afterwards, but the remaining 10 came into the hands of Henry Ecroyd-Smith, a local antiquarian, who recorded them'

He goes on to say that

'A few years before, in 1853, a section of Roman pavement, presumed to be part of a road which possibly ran towards the Mersey crossing at Hale, was uncovered five feet below the surface in Otterspool Park, and a second section similarly paved, was unearthed in Grassendale in 1855, 300 yards east of St. Mary's Church, during excavations for the laying of sewers. The coin hoards had been found only yards from the Otterspool section'

For the full story

http://www.btinternet.com/~m.royden/mrlhp/local/otterspool/otters.htm

Alecs Memorial Rally

Posted by ricey on December 2, 2005 4:15 AM

As promised here is the photo of Alec's daughter Caroline handing over the monies to the owner of the museum in Little Crosby. Gary Owens was on hand as club photographer.

normal_clubraly1.jpg

Well here's another cartoon of Ste and Col............

Posted by ricey on December 1, 2005 9:23 PM

Thanks for all your kind emails regarding the last cartoon.

Here's another. Enjoy!!!

jcb.jpg

Regards
Steve

This page contains an archive of all entries posted to Metal Detecting in the December 2005. They are listed from oldest to newest.

November 2005 is the previous archive.January 2006 is the next archive.

Many more can be found on the home page or by looking through the archives.