Bridgwater Rally taster

[Chef Geoff]

Hi all
Well here you are again for Chef's h'orderves
Similar to the pre-Christmas rally at Horsey this little run down is based on research and "gut feeling" rather than direct experience of the land concerned. But any who were at the Horsey rally will know I wasn't too far out. (thank god)

This time we are visiting an area north west of Bridgwater but with very easy access to the motorway. Anyone who has ever attended any of the Spaxton charity rallies over the years will know the rough area (though this isn't as far).
And those who went to last years diabolical Stogursey rally will know the parish, but don't worry this one is not even close

So this time out we have 60 acres of pasture (probably newly grassed) which is on higher ground and therefore and attractive occupation site and the immediate are has produced a plethora of Roman finds many of which are intriguingly late with a number of plate brooches being found.

Both Bronze and Iron age finds have also been found in the area but no more than most other areas.

Medieval finds have been plentiful as you would expect with a Norman castle only 1500M away and a Priory from the same era only 1000M away.

Now the juicy bit 2.5Klm away is a known Saxon port, but what or where it served is not known
There have only been 5 Saxon coin finds recorded on PAS for Somerset and two have come from a nearby parish, there is also one of only 3 known Somerset Saxon cemeteries close by.
The name Wick occurs within 500M which as you may know is a Saxon word for village or settlement but in this circumstance there is nothing but a farm.
BUT, local legend says that Stogursey itself was at one time further up the hill and the field opposite the farm is called "Chapel field"

I will be visiting the farm in the next week to check on parking, electric fences etc. and I'll also dig a hole and let you know what the soil make up is like to give us an idea of possible find depth.

So guys and girls, I think this will be worth the journey and I have confidence in saying that some nice finds will turn up

OOh! and did I mention the Saxon-Danish Battle?

I'll fill you in more when I've had my visit

[The Ferret]

Look forward to the Report  Done both those rallies did find a 16th c clasp recorded by FLO Nice to get out again with you guys again 
TF

[Mike]

tasting it already , good write up as usual mate

[Neil]

Perfect as alway - thanks Chef for whetting the appetite!

I'm really looking forward to this one - great work Rob on securing the site.

Cheers
Neil

[waltonbasinman]

Well if that don,t "Gird ya Loins" Then you ain,t human. Nice one Cheffy.

[darren jones]

hi can you count me in if any spaces left cheers darren jones

[WeCan-Octavian]

Thanks for the heads up Chef, look forward to an interesting wander

[Chef Geoff]

I have been to see the land and all fields are freshly mown, parking field is excellent and if you decide not to detecting there are some great views.
I was slightly worried that the weather may be too hot and mar the day slightly but I've just seen the forecast and it's meant to be 10 degrees cooler than today and with a slight risk of light showers in the afternoon, which sounds far better weather for detecting.
As you may of read on another thread, I have been in contact with Laura (Somerset FLO) and she will be in attendance but sadly only for the morning session. So if you have any items that you would like to record from your normal day to day detecting please bring them along and she will try to record them as long as it's not to busy with rally finds. So can we reverse the normal trend and find the good stuff in the morning please

Looking forward to catching up with you all on Sunday.

[colin]

Nice one chef your a credit to dw just wish i wasnt working this weekend

[rjm]

well done. 

[avalon]

well done. 

Bring the Bliss Bob, I need to try it out! 

[relichunting]

60 acres? and getting on for nearly 100 on the list 

The next DetectingWales.com rally will be held near Bridgewater on Sunday 29th July 2012. We have 140 acres of past ploughed pasture of which chef will be mapping out over the course of the next few days.

[Chef Geoff]

Well spotted Shaun not sure where I got 60 acres from lol it should say 140.

Ahhhh! I remember now, that taster was written back in June and all the land the farmer thought he would have ready was 60 acres.

[Tafflaff (Rob)]

Irrelevant in any case as we'll probably be using only half of the 140 acres. Which will be more than enough. Any more than an acre per person is a nonsense.

[nobby]

Irrelevant in any case as we'll probably be using only half of the 140 acres. Which will be more than enough. Any more than an acre per person is a nonsense.

Not when your name is Roman RAY