The Santas Awaken
For those watching silently at the church wall, It was a peculiar vision of men and women from far and wide, sporting an array of santa hats, Christmas trees and even turkeys on their heads, meandering slowly around nearby fields, rhythmically swinging a stick. To you or I though, it was much more than a vision, it was the reality that it was Detecting Wales Rally number 84 – The Santas Awaken!
Our fourth successive Santa Hats Rally saw us head to an area steeped in history, not a million miles from Winscombe, with about 80 acres of pasture to wander over.
Early Sunday morning saw the loyal masses arrive, and duly park their sleighs in a small field attached to a nearby manger, where the cattle were certainly lowing. We did briefly discuss recreating the nativity scene, but it was debatable if we had three wise men amongst our ranks, Taff had already scared the sheep away, and we were struggling to locate a virgin. Although that said we did consider putting Nobby in a dress again. Well, its nice he’s got a hobby!
Following the regular historical overview by Bah Humbug, the details of the token hunt, and the annual group photo, we were off!
A swath of detectorists headed to the nearby token field where tokens could be found, and later exchanged for an eclectic mix of raffle prizes that Proconsol’s fair lady manages to acquire throughout the year. This field did not just hold tokens though, as apart from tokens it also released from its clutches a Roman trumpet brooch, Bronze Age Awl (not the twit twoo kind), couple of Roman grots and a cracker of a Pilgrims Ampule (more on that later).
Those who weren’t in the token field headed to the Church field which was a stunning location that saw us literally detecting up to the church walls. Plenty of pre decimal coins, buckles, musket balls and the normal detecting finds that we are all used to finding. That said though, slowly but surely some stellar finds started to appear in the shape of a bronze finger ring for Radnor Bandit, a Georgian silver hallmarked buckle for Paul and a silver filigreed parasol or cane handle for Steven King.
Amongst the diggers in the Church I spotted in the distance Celtic Spikey, knee deep in a hole that was giving too good a signal not to be unearthed, particularly as we were aware of several Roman and a Medieval hoard having been discovered in the surrounding areas. Anyway after much digging, Celtic Spikey was now the proud owner of a rusted bucket, which in fairness had a hole in it and so was little use to anyone!
At the start of the day we had mentioned that the farmer had lost a gold signet ring a number of years ago, and we offered a reward of a museum quality fan tailed fibula for anyone who unearthed it. In the hunt for the ring Jeff the Wizard failed in his quest, but succeeded in unearthing a beaut of a William III shilling dated 1699. His wife not be outdone, also pulled out a hammered hammered – so good they named it twice!
Other finds included an American 3 cent piece by Paul Gough, a large silver hallmarked Air Raid Precaution badge for a beaming Mrs Stampy, a proper joey four pence dated 1836 and a Lizzie sixpence for Renwick. A bronze winger ring depicting a gilded eagle for Radnor Bandit and a silver propelling pencil for Hammerd.
Back at the Manger, Proconsol had set up a stall with a range of prizes for the finders of the token. It was the usual strange mix including some Bold fabric conditioner, a Frankenstein toy and a CD by Olly Murs. Do you see what we did there?
Whilst watching the prize draw I was shown the afore mention Pilgrims Ampulla that was a tradition scallop design, but was missing its ear lugs for fastening to a garment on return from the relevant pilgrimage. This one instead had three holes bored in the middle of it clearly to be used to attach presumably to a piece of clothing. I guess this must have been after the contents had been poured out to bless the land. Heres a link for any interested in doing the research to find where this one came from.
http://www.academia.edu/2937333/Blessing_the_fields_A_study_of_late-medieval_ampullae_from_England_and_WalesShortly after the raffle I had to make tracks due to a long standing appointment I had back in Cardiff for the evening. Thanks to the guys who helped push me out of the mud – it was very much appreciated. Well done everyone on helping get the cars out.
A quick thanks to Rambo for the buckle he kindly donated to my ever expanding collection - much appreciated mate, its gone to a very good home.
Have a great Christmas and may I wish a treasure laden New Year to one and all.
See you in a field somewhere in 2015.
Keep The faith
Neil