Detectingwales Rally 30 - Leinthall Starkes - Mad Magpies and Burnt Arms Rally

[Neil]

Detectingwales.com celebrated its 30th Rally today in fine sunshine over the border in Leinthall Starkes.

It was an early start for a lot of people and a 2 hour plus drive for myself and Jaydogg from Cardiff. We arrived a tad later than expected to find the vast majority of the 70 DW attendees already booted and suited and eager to hit the fields!

Lots of new members and a welcome to the clan goes to the following: Gijan, IanJohn12, Laserlady, The GDL, Mrs Anne Marie Steptoe!, Golden Girl, Rollingstone 63, Scrappy Doo, John Wishbold, Welsh Guy and 100% Celt! Welcome to a DW day out guys - I hope you enjoyed yourselves!

Following our normal do this and do that - we were off swinging on the fields which today consisted of a large rolled area and 50 acres of pasture that was ploughed 5 years ago. A quick well done to Rob for adding the rolled fields to the itinary! We had until midday, when the tractor promptly arrived to seed the field. It was better than nothing though and produced some nice finds.
 
The first find of note fell to myself in what is fastly becoming a "Stella Year" on the detecting front, as for the fourth DW Rally in a row I found silver, in the shape of a George III Shilling.Always a welcome sight to see old bull head staring back at you! It really is a Purple Patch at the moment for me!

The next find of note was an absolute stunner and came in the form of a lump of bronze depicting what for all the world looked like either a Mermaid or Poseidon! It stinks of Roman, and I think its off a bucket mount or a well decoration or something like that. A lovely looking find and potentially very important! One for the FLO's to see ~ I think.

A medieval buckle appeared next in the hands of Staple Head dating to around the early 1500's. This was followed by a few decorated spindal whorls including a cracker of one to Casa Dos. Mark Wilde also decided to join in with the buckles with a nice early example - well done mate!

I headed into the final pasture and came across the bizzare and worrying spectacle of a magpie in a cage. For the life of me I cant understand what is going on there???Was it caged because it was a pet? Or was it injured? Had it been caught? Or was it staked as bait for a fox or anything? Or had it been pecking a lambs eyes (there were two dead ones on the fields today} The poor thing was going mad but strangely had food and water in its cage - all very odd!

Walton Basin Man, {who had earlier provided an excellent over view} was busy finding a nice 5 pellet token thats got to be early medieval.

Speaking of tokens, Ademinlab (father to the spawny Shungav who always finds shed loads at our rallies} was also joining the token theme with a token of Chichester. These things can be really colectable mate - just dont over clean it.

Next I bumped into a long standing Detectingwales supporter in the shape of Byron who had in his hand a beauty of a William III shilling dated 1696 and minted in Bristol. Really pleased for you my friend - you deserve it!

Not far from Byron was a heavily camouflaged Eric aka Meatslicer who had just prised out a medieval knife pommel from its Earthly grip. A lovely find and the photo does not do it justice at all. Nice one Eric - I would be well happy with that.

At this point my battery decided to pack in! Walking back to the car I bumped into Casey who had a find that has alluded me for many years in the shape of a Pilgrims Apulla. A little bit of detective work and he should be able to work out which shrine its come from as its stamped and the decoration is really prominent.

I kept bumping into people with hammered coinage, including our very own Roman Ray and two members from the Swansea bretheren who had done well. By all accounts Tafflaff just rang me and the hammered count reached 16! A great result for everyone!

Personally I am burnt to a crisp, and have just fired up the barbie and started tucking into a bottle of Sailor Jerry Rum. Its been a lovely day with great company. Until we meet again my friends.

Neil

[Neil]

More

[Neil]

And Again

[Neil]

A few more

[Neil]

Ah - there you go . .

[Neil]

A few more - Rob has a lot more to post later!

[Neil]

Still going  . . .

[Neil]

A few more . . .

[doddy10]

Congratulations to everyone that found something, weather was awesome. Next time I drop out of a rally because I am ill ignore me, I decided I couldnt go a whole weekend with no detecting so went to the Weekend Wanderers one today and not much was found at all... I had modern coinage 1920 florin and a nice cut half, which I have no idea who it is. Hope you all had a great day I will see you on the next DW rally rain or shine

[Neil]

Last ones until Rob gets home.

Feel free to add your own photos.

I hope you all enjoyed yourselves - we are not here for a long time guys, just here for a good time and long may it last.

Cheers
Neil

[Villan (Neil)]

Another great report Neil,cheers bud.Some really nice finds there and the weather looked great aswell.Loads of hammies by the sound of it too!By the way the magpie cage is a larsen trap by the sound of it.Magpies prey on, amongst other things,young game birds and songbirds,so gamekeepers use the caged bird to attract another to the trap.

[geordiefred]

Wow looks like you guys had a great time gutted I couldn't make it, well done guys and girls on all your finds 

[ademinelab]

Great write up Neil, will take your advice on the token and not clean to much.

Cheers for a great day head a little sore lol !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[staterchaser]

Great day again and thanks to all the DW Team. Just to add to the finds I had this Roman from the far field at around 4pm. Most part timers had gone by then any id would be appreciated. The coin is dirty havent cleaned it yet but it is silver and think its a Denari. The wierd thing is that around the sametime a few finds were coming out around me including Hammered and ians fantasting broken silver ring. So many times you get a window of time around 4 when finds turn up.
A tough & hot day, and well done to all the hammy finders!

[wayno]

Big Thank you to the D W Team again. Had a brilliant day out in the glorious sunshine. Once again great write up Neil.
Nice to see all your friendly faces again
thank you all