Detectingwales Rally 51 - The Green, Green Glow of Success Rally

[proconsul]

After a brilliantly sunny day on Saturday, the Sunday of the rally dawned  rather less promisingly with the morning being punctuated by a few short showers. Happily, though, these cleared around lunchtime and the afternoon was bright and sunny.

Despite a few satnavs taking people to the wrong place, the massed hordes of DetectingWales.com once more gathered together expectantly for the first rally we’ve held in the Bridgwater area. The farm turned out to have a fine view of the Hinkley Point nuclear power station which was just a stone’s throw away. Whether the proximity to the power station had anything to do with the slight glow emanating from some members at the end of the day is hard to say. It may have just been the glow of satisfaction with the finds that turned up.

We experimented for the first time with members coming to a static table to pay their Rally fee rather than the usual method of two of us tramping around the assembled cars collecting money as we went along. This seemed to work quite well.

There was a short delay whilst Rob tried to find the farmer to confirm a few last details but eventually he was tracked down and the usual pre-rally meeting was held to tell everyone exactly where they could detect.

A fair bit of land was available which was just as well because quite a few members had turned up. Chef Jeff gave everyone a pretty comprehensive rundown of the history of the area and the prospects of some decent finds looked pretty good. I’m happy to say that the farm did indeed live up to its potential and some decent finds certainly came up during the course of the day.

We were joined for the first part of the day by a very friendly and helpful finds liaison officer who set up shop in the tent/marquee kindly provided by Big Xhoni. She didn’t have to wait long for the first finds to appear and was able to give a very quick identification on the first hammy of the day found by Herbie, a cut half of Henry III.

 The next find, was pretty spectacular. A silver-gilt Tudor dress fastener in lovely condition found by Jack Horner. This will undoubtedly have to go through the treasure process. The Tudor theme would be elaborated on as we went through the day.

 It wasn’t long before Roman coins started coming up. They seem to appear all over the farm. Rolling Stone had a particularly nice one. John Talbot had a couple and Avalon managed to come up with a denarius, albeit a debased one.

Hammered coins continued to appear all over the available fields from a variety of reins ranging from Edward II to the Stuarts. Jack Horner added to his earlier spectacular Tudor dress fastener find with an equally spectacular sovereign penny.

Hipster came up with a very nice Charles I two pence and I’m not ginger had a James I Hammy.  Kevin Mansfield had both a Mary and Lizzie. The total hammy count for the day came to around 10.

 A fair few thimbles made an appearance. I found one myself and Stephen King had two of them. Marky Mark had a pretty early one and a nicely engraved silver one, although flattened, fell to hammered.

Quite a few nice buckles appeared as well. Soft top had a particularly nice one.

 The Ferret turned up a beautiful medieval horse pendant dated by the FLO to have been made between 1250 and 1400. A particularly nice find.

Towards the end of the day another find that will be in the running for artifact of the rally appeared. A Tudor pin with finely decorated filigree head found by Welsh John.

After being cancelled several times because of the recent bad weather I think the variety and quality of finds that came up today prove that this rally was worth the wait.

Geoff

[proconsul]

More pics...

[proconsul]

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[Tafflaff (Rob)]

Good job proconsul. Just to once again say, well done to all that attended. You certainly are a friendly bunch of chaps and chapesses  (Chaps ? Oh god I've turned into Chef and Neil).

More to follow guys and gals, keep logging in not to miss announcements. Its really members like you lot that makes DW the run away success it is.

Well done and keep swinging!  (Your detectors).

PS. Neil was sorry he could not make it today. As many of you will already know, Neil had an important audition for the on screen starring role in the remake of Break-dancing the movie 

[Neil]

Great report Geoff - thoroughly enjoyed reading it - almost made up for not being there.

Looks like everyone had a great day out with some decent finds and the usual welcoming atmosphere. Some great pictures as well. I may have to head into Rally Report retirement.

See you soon - a also retired from break dancing Neil

[Chef Geoff]

Nicely done Geoff, great report. I'd just like to add my thanks to all those that turned up and helped make it a lovely day, thanks also to you who managed to record your finds with Laura before she had to leave
I feel sure, as Taff pointed out that with more moisture in the soil, the land will offer up a lot more finds and maybe another visit later in the year may be worth considering.
I don't think I've ever done so little detecting at a rally as I did today but instead had a great time talking to members old and new.
Ohh! and taking in the view;




Well with the exception of a dirty great nuclear power station


and some members lol

[anthonyjay]

Good to see you all had a really great day, just sorry I was unable to attend, hopefully next time I won't be so busy.

[handyman [Alan}]

Wonderful to read about the successes of the day. Well done to all involved in the organising and the volunteers who loaned items to make the day a memorable one.

A particular thanks must go to the person who got the land.

Cheers

[Rayzor]

markymarks was a mary 1st groat not a lizzy
I had a rather nice 1928 Florin.
Thanks for the warm welcome from the members, everyone was very friendly and chatty, I really enjoyed this dig.

RayRay.

[imnotginger]

Had a great days hunting and some of the best finds yet for me my first hammered ( Charles I two pence ) i had  thanks to all see next time imnotginger 

[Zeus (Joel)]

My finds for the day. Not sure if the hook thingy is old or even what it is. The coin thingy is a Tradesman tokken c1650-1700

Only had buttons and the normal trash.

[rookypair]

Someone found a lovely ring with a turquoisey coloured 'stone' or glass
and said it was medieval - are there any piccies available of this ring or, if you are the lucky finder can you post some pics please
Many thanks
Rookypair
 

[Tafflaff (Rob)]

My finds for the day. Not sure if the hook thingy is old or even what it is. The coin thingy is a Tradesman tokken c1650-1700

Only had buttons and the normal trash.

The hooky thing looks like a Jews Harp Joel .

[Zeus (Joel)]

Now that you mention it, it does because theres a bit broken off. Gutted now that its not complete 

[gijan]

BIG THANK YOU 2 ALL WHO PUT THIS DIG ON... .CHARLES HAD A FAB FIND ROMAN... .MYSELF FOUND A HALF PENNY MINT CONDITION 1959...I AM SO PLEASED AS THAT DATE WOZ NEEDED BADLY 4 MY COLLECTION...AND ITS THE YEAR I WOZ BORN... ::)GREAT 2 CHAT AND MEET OLD AND NEW DIGGERS... .GREAT 2C BOBKOI  .GREAT RALLY AS USUAL AND CHUFFED WITH MY GARRETT BADGE...CU ALL ON NEXT DIG..... .GI.JAN X ROLLINGSTONE.....