Hi Asbestos & Co
I too have an enthusiastic child, my son is 8 although we have only been in the Hobbie for a few weeks he loves it, i have secured two permissions one is 15 miles away but that was through chance really when they phoned me up for some work to be done on their caravan!!!
I have approached one farm where they said they dont allow anyone on their land, not just metal detectorists, they were polite aswell.
And also i secured another permission the other day just by speaking to friends who mentioned a name, gave me the number and i asked. He was very accomodating as he already has two dectorists who have patches on his land!!!(bearing in mind he has acres upon acres!!) he has a field in mind for me to start in, and also thinks one of the other guys will be giving the hobby up soon and i will be able to have his patch!!
As with finds we have found a few coins, thimble, part of an edwardian door bell, barrell tap keyway, penknife,buttons, and the prize find was a silver pocket watch last sunday.
So my personal opinion is If you dont ask you dont get, maybe a bit of networking in your local wouldnt go a miss, we all know how farmers like a drink!!!!!
Kind regards
Nick