DetectingWales.com

A couple of days ago I was google earthing farms in my area, not really much to get excited about , however a couple of farms  in the Neath area attracted my attention, they had some interesting features close to them so I gave one of the farmers a ring. I spoke to a very nice lady on the phone, she said it would be fine with her for me to detect, but for me to double check with her husband first. I phoned back the next day , introduced myself and the farmer was most accomidating. Really decent guy to speak to, he said there'd been some interesting finds found by workers on the farm and I could have the run of the farm no problems... brilliant. He then asked me a favour. He asked if I would look for his Wedding ring that he had lost some 5 months back, I said no problem ...I was only to fglad to help. He then went on to explain where he thought it may be..... Underneath 2 tons of chicken manure.. :o . Ermmmmm......

Today I went over the farm , cold cloudy day but fine , so after buying a new pair of anti chicken poop wellington boots I made my way to Neath.

Got to the farm and was greeted by the lady i spoke to on the phone. She showed me around, told me which fields were they'rs and introduced me to the pile of chicken excrement. Wow that was a load of shit .

 She left me to it and i made a few quick sweeps of the outside yard. Impossible to detect it was ful of fragments my detector was going haywire, so i made my way to the poop pile......slowly got within 10 ft of it and picked up a signal, quite shallow, dug it, Cartwheel penny, another couple of yards and a belt buckle. Then the chicken poop, It was a good 3 foot deep. I raked and raked to try and flatten bits of it ..god the stench was awful , I will never moan about changing the babies nappy again! I scanned what i could but it was impossible, the pile was surrounded by zincs and again it was too much interference. After an hour of gut wrenching , retina burning nasal hair scorching fumes I decided to have a break and do some detecting where the air didnt hurt my eyes.

I detected in the pasture around the farmhouse for a couple of hours. brought up a couple of thrupennys a couple of 1907 pennys a 1694 halfpenny or penny? a pendant with a biblical verse on it, and the normal buckles and buttons. Followed by two dogs and a nutty black sheep I worked my way back to the farmhouse and was greeted by the farmer that had lost his wedding ring.He pointed out the areas he'd been on the day his ring was lost he also said it would be fine for me to check the chicken runs as there'd once been a really old farm building on there.

Now I've never been surrounded by that many chickens before, and they all wanted to "help", every hole I dug they were in there pecking my wellys pecking my detector...give in!...lol.

A bit earlier the farmer had showed me where he had taken manure over to a herb garden so I searched the garden but nothing. There was a small pasture... garden size around the herb garden, half heartedly I decided to check this garden, by now my back was killing and I was cold I'd had enough! I searched up one side of the garden, turned around andstopped straightened by back and turned, as I turned my detector gave the sweetest signal I'd had all day. Iooked down and there nestled amongst the grass was the guys wedidng ring!!!!!!!!  I... could...not...belive...it. What a result. To say the couple was over the moon was an understatment the look of relief in their faces was self evident. They offered me a reward which I declined, they were good enough to allow me to search their land , I said that was reward in itself. But I did accept some lovely fresh chicken eggs!! I've now got permission to detect, whenever I want and the farmer is going to show me around the other farms in the area that I can detect on.

Well Done Rob - that is a quality Post mate.

Nice to give something back and you can be assured that the word of mouth recommendation they will give for you to other farmers will be second to none!

As a newbie to this game (I think) congratulations - you've just scored a shed load of land!

Neil

Well done Rob, a true ambassador of our sport. :) :) :)

Looking at the size of that wedding ring the farmer must have hands like shovels. lol.

Richy.

Brilliant story that Rob, well done mate they must have been chuffed to bits.

Lets's hope that the farmer tells all his farming mates & maybe lots more land as a result.

Top Marks

BB

*Bump* for charles , thanks fella.

You be all right for a roast when you want one then Rob.  ;D ;D ;D

*Bump*  for Jonola

well done robo ;)

No shit that was a great post Rob...well done m8t.....PaulB. 8)

Well done Rob on finding the ring and on a rally good read.!
Al :) :) :)

old post , happened back in Feb. Bumped in for Jonola  ;)

Well done a good story nice
to see it paid off for you in the
end

bump for Napolean

Well done and great story. Anytime you want help going through smelly stuff, give me a shout. I had flu 15 years ago and my sense of smell never came back, so I can be in the middle of a sewer and still not smell anything. Chicken poo, easy.......

Meatslicer

I can remember reading this story in a metal detecting mag years ago it would be great if one of the members could look through their old mags and find the story for taff. ;) :D :D :D

really good  story,really good result,nice 1 buddy ,i hope the land around there proves just as productive for ya

An excellent account there Rob. It's the 1st time that i've read about this. So all credit to you for promoting the positive side of our wonderful hobby.

One often reads about such tales in magazines and i always enjoy reading such things, as one can truly appreciate the emotion and joy by the family who have had the artefact retrieved and the finder, for seeing the smiles on their faces as you  make their day.

There is no greater reward than the act of human kindness and goodwill. I think most sensible people would have done what you did and turn down the offer of a reward as well.

All credit to you.

A great example for all to follow.

Old detecting Story that Handyman , I bumped it for Napolean , I dont get up to that area much so I'm going to pass my contact at the farm over to Nordine as its the area he lives in.

well done taff he's a nice lad in he!! :) i like old napoleon!

Well done now that is a good story.Good job well done.