DetectingWales.com

The day started off a bit like a cross between wacky races and a carry on film when the tape holding one side of the sign pointing the way to the parking field on the farm gave way, allowing the sign to drop down, thus changing the arrow from pointing right at the junction to pointing straight ahead down a muddy, potholed track which was definitely not designed for cars.

We first became aware of this when the members who had successfully navigated their way to the designated parking field saw a line of vehicles making its tortuous way across the fields to completely the wrong part of the farm.

Having driven over to where the errant members had ended up, I managed to point them in the right direction and eventually we were all together in the right place.

It was pretty apparent early on that we were in for some nice weather and so it proved. We had a mixture of pasture and stubble to play with, together  with a field that had recently been planted but which the farmer very kindly said we could use.

I have to say that from what I saw, the members who went on this field heeded our request and filled in their holes well. Thanks for that.

The field at the top of the farm is known as the ‘bomber field’ and during the First World War had a trench system dug into it for training purposes. We expected some WWI era finds to come out of this field but the first find that came out of it was a very nice hammered groat found by Bristolminelab.

Those who ventured onto this field came across lots of spring-loaded parts and other bits and pieces. After doing a bit of research after the rally, Taff has managed to confirm that these are parts of ‘mills bombs’ (hand grenades to you and me). So that’s why it was called the bomber field…

Although a sprinkling of hammered coins came up, milled silver seemed to be the theme of the day with some nice examples being found by Rookie Pair (bullhead sixpence), a wonderful little George II silver penny by JCB, a nice Viccy shilling by Bristolminelab and a plethora of love tokens found by Baden, Searcher and GJH among others.

Sunburn was quite prevalent later in the day and, having forgotten to bring suncream I felt it prudent to leave a little earlier than I would have liked once I started burning. Rob, too, had too much sun. It’s funny how a bit of good weather can catch us out.

All in all this was a pleasant, productive rally which most attendees seemed to enjoy. Roll on the two-dayer…

Geoff

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Well done JCB that's a great penny, and a rare detecting find ;)

BM your groat is a Ed III, Pre-treaty period Spink 1570 annulet in one quarter, also a annulet under bust ;)

Well done all

thanks dale appreciate that, i have got to thank my mentor nobby for everything he has taught me

Great day great land well done detecting Wales  ;)

Thanks Geoff for great write up And Rob and all involed had a great day ;D
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd96/joebristow/hammered%20edward/DSCF9572_zpsecdb5dd9.jpg) (http://s222.photobucket.com/user/joebristow/media/hammered%20edward/DSCF9572_zpsecdb5dd9.jpg.html)

Thanks Dale ;)

Great report Geoff and some nice finds. I am suprised we didn't see more cap badges, Military buttons, bullets and Mills base caps turn up.  Interesting history to the farm.

Cheers
Neil

As the farmer said he had no details of the trenches and only really knew about it from a local historian who had spotted the trench lines on an aerial photograph, even today you dig trenches when on manoeuvres which usually only takes a few hours so there's a chance that these trenches are a result of one visit thus not much else to find :-\

great right up , had a great day..well done some really nice finds there all

Good write up in fact it was A GREAT DAY LOVELY WEATHER , GREAT COMPANY , AND GREAT DETECTING with plenty of finds I don"t think that I have ever found so many buttons (the only bad thing about the day was I had to pay the bridge fee)  ;D BUT IT WAS WORTH EVERY PENNY look forward to the next one , but cannot make Ross-on Wye . see you al  soon HAMMERRHOID

Great report and a great day Geoff. I was one of the group that went up that muddy track!

I'll add the picture of my finds here which I posted on another thread.

Nothing of great age for me, but 34 buttons, nine worn coppers, a cupro-nickel florin, an almost blank William III shilling, a very worn George III bullhead shilling, jew's harp, buckle fragments, a key etc and lots of lead!

(http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab217/egbert6212/Detecting/IMG_7631_zps0e22c9ae.jpg) (http://s865.photobucket.com/user/egbert6212/media/Detecting/IMG_7631_zps0e22c9ae.jpg.html)

i would just like to say,and i'm sure rob would agree what an""eclectic"group of finds,thanks everyone i had a great day,

Now you know what Rob said he would do to the first person who used that word so if I were you i'd file off any sharp corners from your detector and get the Vaseline out :D :D :D

never heard of that word!!  ;D ;D ;D ;D

 ;D ;D ;D

Well done Geoff on the write up,   and we'll done to all who participated in the great rally.

great report Jeff.......A grand day out with some grand people ;)

 :)great days detecting,brilliant rally and fantastic weather too.a credit to the organisers.it was a pleasure to detect  in such beautiful country side and plenty of finds came up too.i found so many buttons(and some good finds too) that I think there must have been a button factory on the land! Hee ;D ;D.again many thanks for a great days detecting and I look forward to the next one.