Detectingwales Rally 45 - Santa Hats and Rebellion!

[Neil]

At 7am this morning I was met outside my house bang on time by my detecting buddies Mark and Rob. A quick load up of the car and we were on the road bathed in glorious sunshine for Detectingwales Rally 45.

We arrived to find the parking area had been soaked the night before, which led to enormous shananigans with cars wheel spinning all over the place. We spoke to the farmer at the end and the gentleman he is, he was absolutely cool with the mud we had churned up. It couldn't be helped and apologies to anyone who needs to head to the car wash tomorrow!

The rally today included a free santa hat for anyone who hadn't brought one with them, and it made me smile all day watching these red and white heads digging away. We also had a pile of mincepies that between us all we forgot to hand out. TaffLaff now has 60+ of them in his boot and can't stand the taste of them - so if anyone wants a box give him a shout.

Following a stunning overview of the area by Chef which focused on the Rebel action in the area, and the retreat across the fields and also the Roman occupation we were off into the fields.

Today we had 90 acres of pasture for around 70 members - so that was more than an acre each! I headed onto the old road area and was soon greeting by the Lord Of The Melons who had a Lizzy hammered in his hand and a William III love token - he made it three for the day by adding a George III shilling to his total (his first}.  I think Casa was well and truly beaten today. Not to be outdone by Big Brother, Jo had found a nice button with a coat of arms and a late Medi buckle. Who am I kidding?  Melonhead was on fire today and spanked both Jo and Kev - not in the literal sense I hasten to add! Although that said Casa may have enjoyed it!

Along this old road as predicted by the Almighty Chef, musket balls were turning up in pretty much a vertical line and told a story of retreat and attack by chasing and defending forces. I had a couple as did numerous other members and it really set a scene in ones head of the fleeing forces that day.

Pipster was in amongst the silver with an artefact that needs a bit of cleaning but appears to be Georgian on first sight. Other finds in the area included more hammered and a Roman coin that hinted at what would be discovered later in the day.

Heading back to the car for the Token raffle - we had a range of prizes courtesy of Proconsuls good lady I bumped into a beaming MarkyMark who had an Irish Hammered sixpence in his hand. He was quickly followed by another member with a Jubilee Head Vicky six pence.

Back at the car my camera went into overdrive resulting in 180 photos being taken for the day and the last few really poor - so please accept my apologies.

First up was Relic Hunter who had a Lizzy hammered and a sword dangler. He was followed by Charles of Rollingstone fame who had a Medieval purse bar, a couple of buckles and some kind of artefact that is a mystery but stinks of being medieval. Zeus was on the scene with his first of what was to be two hammered coins for him today - this one an Edward. Others included numerous coppers, musket balls, thimbles and then a flood of Romans from the top field. I lost count of who found what all together. By the end of the day we were fast approaching 20 Roman coins and at least 18 hammered coins!

Onto the raffle and a sterling job was done by Geoff and Rob with the prizes going to numerous members. That said the Stampys and Searcher did particularly well!

After lunch I headed into the Roman fields and saw more 4th Century coinage, an early fibula and even more hammereds. This was added to by a ring which was found by Colin and could be early Medieval or Roman and looks to be designed as a seal ring. A lovely find and I really want to see what the impression is.

Passingclod had his first Roman, as did new member Brad Brieftons, Rooky Pair had a lovely livery button, Ben Watergent another Roman, the Wrexham Crew I believe had a few nice finds, the Hereford contingent had a smattering of Romans, Richard of 16.5DD fame had a Lizzy and IFINDNOTHING had a lovely medieval pendant with the three lions on. Back on his first rally following ill health Villan from Cornwall had three Romans to help him on the the long journey home. It was great to see you swinging the coil again mate!

I apologise for any finders I have forgotten once again - it was all a bit too much for my Friday night wine soaked brain!

The Rally grapevine reached me that Rambo had done particularly well with a Celtic Silver stater. I never got to see it, but I am assured its a beauty of a find - well done mate! You sure your daughter didn't find it?

At the end of the Rally the farmer joined us and was given a Roman coin by Cheffy (nice gesture mate} and welcomed us back anytime. We are thinking maybe March - what do you think? Do you want to go back? We barely made a dent in his fields today, plus we have the ones in crop and more to go on next time.

As always and in the words of Jules from Pulp Fiction "And I will strike down on thee with great vengance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy our Rally site. And you will know we are Detectingwales when we lay our vengance upon thee. We are trying really hard to be the shepherds!"

In other words as always this site is a DW site -not that anyone would, but please do not call there yourselves or arrange a club rally on it! It ruins it for everyone.

The farmer was stoked with our behaviour and the condition of the land, It says something that he has never previously allowed detecting on his farm, and I think its fair to say by the amount of finds we were on Virgin territory. He has told us Detectingwales are welcome back.

We never take you anywhere we wouldn't want to go detecting ourselves. It doesn't always work out, but I can assure you that there are literally days of research that go into finding a site like this and well done to everyone involved. It paid off today and was worth every minute of it.

Keep the faith and we'll see you in a field in the new year.

Happy Christmas everyone.
Neil

[Neil]

More! Kev - I'll give you the names of the finder later mate - computer is playing up!

Pipsters silver Gerogian thingy.
Neils pewter toy milk jug

[Neil]

Get comfy - this is going to take some time!

[Neil]

Again
Melonheads George III shilling
Jo's buckle

[Neil]

They keep coming . . .
Jo and button
Marky Marks love token hammered shilling

[Neil]

A few more!

MarkyMarks George II copper
RelicHuntings sword dangler

[Neil]

MORE AGAIN!
RelicHuntings Lizzy and Roman

[Neil]

Some more
The Shamens bell

[Neil]

Go on then - some more to enjoy!

Passingclods first Roman

[Neil]

More again. Rollingstones finds including a purse bar, buckles and a mystery item!

[Neil]

Again.

MiketheFob sword belt holder

Dennis Long book clasp with crown

[Neil]

Still going strong!

A hammered Eddy by Zeus and a dagger chape from ParkiJohn.

[Neil]

Nowhere near finished yet! This has taken me 3 hours so far!

Rookypair livery button

[Neil]

More

[Neil]

They keep coming!

Villans trio of Romans and just like us the pigs were in  . . .