A Trip to darkest Herefordshire.

[waltonbasinman]

Went out today with Sir Rob of Tafflaff to the deepest vaults of South Herefordshire. The area where permission had been granted is rife with history from the Palaeolithic through to the second world war. The parish has finds from the Palaeolithic and Mesolithic. Bronze age burials and finds. Iron Age fort and enclosures and finds. A Roman Fort in the bend of the river and scatterings of Roman pottery from most of the parish. A lost Saxon 5th century church. Medieval church and field systems and medieval buildings throughout the parish. You must of got the picture by now. Well having found the farmer and finding our boundaries we set of with our farm map in hand kindly given by the farmer and decided to try the fields near the River to the South of the parish. Kitted up we headed out and spent a couple of hours working across the field and we met in the middle of the field for a brief discussion on progress and somehow came to the conclusion that we had actually stepped into a different farms fields and beat a hasty retreat back to the cars in a hope we had not been spotted. Whilst on that field we did work out that this farm Is not small and we felt very confident that we would need to home in on the finds and when we did we would be rewarded. Re-sited near the centre of the village we headed out again and spent the next couple of hours detecting and as the day drew to a close we started finding some better finds. Not totally sure what Rob found but my identifiable finds were a probable medieval candleholder, and a William 3rd Farthing. George 2nd coin turned into a medallion and late on a 17th / 18th century one penny token. Throughout the day I found what must have been a ton of lead. Seriously there was a lot. But thanks for the day out Rob. Brilliant company, Great place and it is a place that you get a good feeling about. A quick return needed as I think we probably did less than half a percent of the available land and you know it will get better.

[waltonbasinman]

Here is a picture of the main man in action. I am sure if his detector broke he could still smell it at a hundred paces.

[waltonbasinman]

There are big clues to what may be around with the re used stonework in the church. Images such as this have been around since the Romans though we know it more from the Second World War. This has been re used in the medieval church and is probably from the Saxon period.

[Jonola (Jon)]

Looks a decent area Paul. Good luck! Hope the Quattro pulls out the goodies!

[hedgehog]

Looks like it was a great day, where's the pic of the candle holder Paul, I like them as an object.

[waltonbasinman]

on it,s way Steve.

[DIGGA]

NICE WRITE UP THERE PAUL   ON WHAT LOOKS TO BE A VERY GOOD LITTLE PLACE ,,,,,,, IM SURE  THAT WITH THAT AMOUNT OF HISTORY THERE   ,,, THE FINDS WILL SOON BE  FLYING OUT MATE ,,,, 

[waltonbasinman]

Here we are Steve. Made of Bronze the square piece at the bottom has broke off the stem I think but if you think it is something else I am open to suggestions.

[waltonbasinman]

Here are the token, the William 3 and the George reused as a pendant. The George is a George 3 not two.

[Tafflaff (Rob)]

Good write up Paul, did'nt get a chance last night as I was invaded by family last night as Its my birthday today ( cards and money to P.O box 342345 please)  

Got to agree with Paul this area is absolutely stuffed to the gills with history from every era, I found it fascinating that Paul could look across a valley and pick out details on fields like he was looking at a giant 3d O.s  map.  He would point out a detail to me and say

 "See the ridge going around that mound in the field Rob?"

I'd be nodding , and more often grinning manicly only for Paul to point out I was looking at an ant hill 12 foot in front of us, and then direct my gaze to the relevant field. Actually you'd think that that with Pauls ability to read fields and my map reading skills (15 years of delivery driving)  that after the 1st hour we wouldnt have been stood at the top of a field in the wrong farm like a couple of  LEMONS .

I've been working on the farmer and his wife for a month to get this farm and I must say what a Gent he is. He washed his boots Scurried into the house and came out with 2 maps of his farm. 20 fields with some very interesting names. What I did give the farmer which seemed to put him at ease was a laminated A5 sheet of paper. On there I printed a photocopy of my F.I.D licence its rules, My address, Telephone number, Car Reg, make , model , and colour. He appreciated this and I think we've all got to remember, we call them  "our farms"  but they're not... They're someones livelyhood and Its up to us to prove to the farmer that we're responsible enough to detect on his property.

All in all a fabulous day , good company,  not many finds for me - Geoge iii farthing , edward Penny, and a pocket full of lead. Cant wait for a return journey though the distance will probably hinder me a little.

[Gadget(Ian)]

What I did give the farmer which seemed to put him at ease was a laminated A5 sheet of paper. On there I printed a photocopy of my F.I.D licence its rules, My address, Telephone number, Car Reg, make , model , and colour. He appreciated this and I think we've all got to remember, we call them  "our farms"  but they're not... They're someones livelyhood and Its up to us to prove to the farmer that we're responsible enough to detect on his property.

at last i think im getting somewhere.lol.

[mole]

What !!! happened to your GPS your on par with my missus directionally speaking

[Kev]

nice to see you guys had a good day the photos are very good ,looks a nice area well done 

[Stig(The)]

Paul/Rob, cracking write up & pics Guys,the best of luck to you both !

[silverhand]

great write up bud enjoy the read makes me wonna scive off work and go detecting