Aaron Hughes finds bomb at Gilfach with metal detector gift

[Neil]

A man using a metal detector he was given for Christmas has unearthed a World War II bomb on a nature reserve.

It was only the second time builder Aaron Hughes, 26, had used the gift from his father, Brian, who was with him at Gilfach, near Rhayader, along with his girlfriend Charlotte Croudace.

Police cordoned off the area and called in a bomb disposal team from Hereford.

Mr Hughes joked that the bomb was "nice to find," but he would have rather have discovered a pot of gold.

We weren't sure whether or not to phone the police because 999 is only for emergencies - but this was sort of an emergency”

 It is understood the device was a mortar bomb, but why it was buried on a nature reserve is a mystery.

The trio were walking along a path on the reserve when they made the discovery.

"It was the first time I'd properly used the metal detector," Mr Hughes said.

"I had been out on New Year's Day and I'd found a few coins near a playground - a few coppers and a couple of pound coins.

 
Aaron Hughes received the metal detector from his father Brian "The following day on the Gilfach reserve we'd only been there 10 minutes when the detector started beeping.

"I thought I'd discovered a can or a metal lid. I never imagined I would find a bomb.

"I scratched down into the ground and saw the tip of the what we now know is a bomb.

"I wasn't sure what it was to start with, so I started digging down with a spade and flicked it out of the ground and onto the grass. It was about 2-3in (5-7cm) deep.

"We were shocked because it was pretty obviously a bomb.

"We weren't sure whether or not to phone the police because 999 is only for emergencies - but this was sort of an emergency.

"It was a nice thing to find, but I obviously would have rather have found a big pot of gold."

[handyman [Alan}]

lol -- someone ought to put him right re permissions, insurance, recording and expectations.! 


oh .. and DW of course! 

[Val Beechey]

Well I was going to  say   'spot the mistake'  but Alan beat me to it.  What was he doing on a Nature reserve in the first place.

[Tafflaff (Rob)]

Yes agreed, but he is talking as a beginner so obviously is making rookie mistakes. I suppose it comes down to not knowing the law of the land. This is a problem when starting many hobbies, he just needs to be put on the correct track.

[rjm]

lol -- someone ought to put him right re permissions, insurance, recording and expectations.! 


oh .. and DW of course! 

You want him to take the bomb to his FLO for recording

Insurance won't do him any good if it explodes! 

[troutmasterfunk]

I found a mortar on the beach at pendine I was fishing not detecting before I get an ear bashing for detecting on a closed beach..
Thought I would dig some lug and hit it with my fork..
Got it out on beach and got Told t "PUT IT BACK!!!" Lol
One phone call and two blokes from the mod range came they detonated it up beach..
We went home sharpish lol

[dances with badgers]

that look like the incendiary bombs we get on the mountain by us that missed swansea in the air raids,dont touch them ,very unstable,found one as kid while back and old bill went bananas when i turned up with it in a plastic bag .good fun if you lob them on a bonfire though