DetectingWales.com

Detecting Wales Rally 93 – The inaugural meeting of the DW Rambling Society aka The Wrong Field Rally!

Mike, Jaydogg, Ken and I headed off bright and early for our latest DW soiree and for once arrived at a deserted farm prior to the rest of you. It took us sometime to find the farmers brother who was overseeing proceeding today and with a thick local accent was pretty difficult for us daft South Walians to understand.

Following a bit of pointing from the farm hand and with map in hand, Jaydogg and I headed off on a reconnaissance mission, discovering half of the fields were waist high, but half were easily detectorble. I also spied in the distance a stretch on ploughed land which we had received permission for in from the farmer. All seemed good to go. We hot footed it back to the car park to find things in full swing. Speeches were taken care of and that was it we were into the fields with many opting for the lengthy slog down fields and over fences for the distant ploughed land. It was a good job we didn’t have to do this in blistering 27 degrees heat!

I opted for the hilly pasture that afforded glorious views of the nearby Grosmont Castle and church. One of the three castles in the Marches, Grosmont is a good example of a Norman motte and bailey castle. Likely to have been built in the early 12th century. So the area held plenty of promise.

Within 10 minutes of detecting I spotted Wayno excitedly heading towards his detecting partner and when I reached him I could see why, as his paws were wrapped around a 22ct gold band that I am estimating was Victorian.

I shortly headed up the pasture hill towards where the sheep were busy being sheep and saw a chap with a bell and another with a spindle whorl, so decided to concentrate in this area myself.

As I stood atop of the brow of the hill surveying the distant castle and rolling hills, what appeared to be a squad of detector laden ants came into my view all heading towards the starting field along the perimeter of the fields. Pretty soon the small squad had swollen into a full blown battalion! Intrigued I headed down to be informed en-route  by Soft Top that we had sent them to the wrong field and that the farmer who owned it had turned out to be friendly enough, but moved everyone on.

Turned out he was more than friendly and really interested in the history of his land. After a follow up phone call form Mike, he has provisionally given us the nod to have a rally there in the Autumn! Every cloud . . .

I hold my hands up for this ‘cock up’ but strongly add as a caveat in my defence that the instructions from the farmer were erratic to say the least. He kept spinning around, so his left became his right, and his right became his left. If that makes sense. To clarify it was the correct fields I even pointed and he agreed, so I can only say sorry, but at least you all had a nice ramble in the countryside! I’ll grab my hard hat and order a taxi now!

On the way to the correct pasture and plough there were several deserted properties. A member called Win paid attention to the area of the gateway to one of these and was blessed with a Lizzy Bun Head Half Crown – a hefty loss at the time.
A few members gingerly explored a few of these derelict houses, but the ceilings looked like they were about to drop at any point and would have been a test even for the most ardent followers of Grand Designs.

Within spitting distance of the house I pulled out half a military buckle bearing the legend Dieu Et Mon Droit which translates as ‘God and my Right’. Then a few steps away from this a pewter square backed brooch bearing an emblem of two pyramids and a setting sun. I initially thought this may have been a memento from a ‘Grand Tour’ but as pointed out by other detectorists, its not too far away from a military chest plate. More work needed to uncover its true identity.

I saw Paul shortly after this with a half crown of King Billy although the mint marked looked almost V shaped – any ideas out there. I also got see two cut halves and a battered Eddy penny, along with a decent pewter whistle that once clean could still deafen anyone in earshot.

I also saw a curious Bronze woman holding possibly a bible that had a Tudor look to her - anyone know what this is? Speculatively the end of a reading pointer (name escapes me).

Surely the most touching find was a childs pocket money. We know it was a childs because it was a half penny with a lead toy horse attached to it where presumably they got lost together.

Back at the cars whilst taking on water, some of the shade seekers were saying that the ploughed fields we had been in were not the large 30 acre ones at the top. A few of had a chat about how to get there and I went around all the members who were at their cars to give them the option of following us on our expedition. About 10 cars ended up heading in convoy style to the 30 acre ploughed field as it was a nightmare to reach by trekking. Thanks to Liz and her use of Google maps we managed to eventually find it.

Medieval Man had gone for the hard core option of walking from the car park and was duly rewarded for this magnificent effort in the furthest corner of the ploughed field with the find of the day in the shape of a Bronze Age socketed axe.
 
This location was really quiet, but clearly held a few quality items in its earthly grasp as shortly after Ozzy popped up with a Roman Silver denarii that we all struggled to read the name on due to sun blindness.

Word reached me by the power of the phone that Taffee1919 had dug out the stand out coin of the day in the form  of a rare 1644 Civil War Issue Half Crown of Charles 1st! A truly wonderful discovery. Following a quick Spinx check it does indeed appear to be not only a rare but also a valuable coin, so well done that man.

On the way home we were parched and so an unscheduled stop for a tin of apples for Ken and I and soft drinks for the drivers was called for.

Once again and perfectly on cue Mike and I took the wrong turning and added a further 30 minutes to what should have been a quick journey home! Very scenic, but a painful mistake after a long day in sweltering heat.

Lots more irons in the fire with Rally dates to be announced shortly.

Until next time, Keep the Faith.

Neil

More finds

Last few - feel free to add your finds.

A truely magnificent day by the sounds of things, hoping to be at the next.....and yes Mikes famous for his wrong turns   :D

some great finds there well done all, cant wait for the next rally cheers 

great report and pics  , some great finds turned up , we WILL  be going back there in the future .

as to wrong turns it was the cider vapour in my car that caused it  :( :(

When we return can it be winter as some of those fields leading up to the farm where the pasture was waist high need our attention mate!

I equally feel that there are more quality finds waiting to be discovered.

. Yes excellent day had a few things myself   8)

Some cracking finds well done all

well done all ..............nice finds  8)

Congratulations Niel, yet another BRILLIANT account of the days events,
and very ,very,successful  events they turned out to be.
And very well done to all who turned out to ensure the success n the day.
Well done and 100% to all involved.👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👍

these are a couple of finds found by mark newbury ... well done mark, great to chat with you yesterday

this was mrs H's find ... a beauty of a buckle .. found in the sheep field!

A big thank you to Mike for finding such a stunning location, a most enjoyable day, with great company, myself, I found a Cartwheel penny and a buckle, thanks to all at DW for a most enjoyable days detecting....

Cracking write up as usual Neil, a great selection of finds with a few very special pieces. Although I could not make it, I would like to thank all the rally organisers for all your time and effort in organising our rallies well done guys.......Spikey  ;)

Great report Neil and well done to the finders of the goodies.

I have to single out Jeff's Charles I halfcrown as one of the best hammered coin finds I have ever seen  :)

Looks like it was a cracking day for people :) - I knew it would be a good rally because the missus had arranged a holiday over it! (so I couldn't make it :( ).

Fantastic halfcrown - by the looks of it, it is a 'Welsh Marches' declaration halfcrown (spink 3135) - much nicer than the one in the book too books at £3.5k in VF.........

The denarius is of Severus Alexander with a PM TR P COS PP, so dating from his first year (222-223AD)

Here's the reverse of the Vicky half crown I found. Its a first for me after 25 years detecting, one off the list. Face side is quite worn and unfortunately caught it with spade in the hard ground of the path. Thanks to everyone for a really good day, always enjoyable.

Can't make up my mind which is the best find, axe head or half crown, they're both beauties.  I'm well jealous !!  Congratulations to the finders and well done to the DW staff for organising the rally.

Nice read Neil great finds happy days just a tad warm....

Some great finds there! Looks like a good day. Great write up as usual.