Once again the Clans were summoned to a location near the famous Roman town of Caerleon. We had DetcetingWales.com members present from Swansea, Llanelli, RARE, SCAN, Hereford and Bristol all attending under the one banner. Long may it last!
The day started early with a few arriving at the farm at 8.30am. Those lucky few were then treated to the pleasure of pushing Geoff Admin out of the parking field as he got stuck
(I somehow managed to get splattered by mud for the second Rally in a row - there's a theme building here!
)
Everyone parked up as directed and then formed an orderly registrating queue with a total of 50ish Detecting Wales users attending. Thanks for supporting the website go to one and all. Flags were placed in fields, and following a quick gathering to explain the fields, taking rubbish home and filling holes (2 Rallies in a row not a single problem - well done everyone!), we were off!
People headed in different directions as we had two huge stubble fields and a couple of big pastures dotted over a very large farm. The first find I came across of any note was The Hoover with a Candian 1850's penny in lovely condition, this was followed soon after by I think by Millsy with a george V shilling.
I then had an excited Borderfox summoning me from a distance with a Half Crown of Charles 1st in his hand. Problem was he thought that it may have been a contemporary forgery, as a core was showing through and it appeared to be plated! The weight didn't really feel correct either for such a large coin. Later on someone mentioned that it could have been an emergency tin & silver issue. The jurys out at the moment - it remains to be seen, but a lovely find all the same. Well done mate!
The next finds of note I saw was a couple of silver threepences belonging to Richard from Llanelli and our host TaffLaff (Rob). A sixpence found by Debbie and her hound dog, and a couple of post 1920 shillings.
My finds at this point amounted to a George II penny, a Vicky, spindle whorl and then an old piece of worked bronze that reminds me of a Roman key - any ideas anyone? I detected the morning headphoneless due to me losing the jack for my cheapies (I have 2 pairs being repaired). CasaDos kindly stepped in and lent me his backups - cheers mate - I appreciated it.
Heading back to the car I found a starving Digger (Stan - whos food was locked in my boot) in posession of a Henry (VII or VIII) hammered half groat that was a bit battered but a nice find and his second successive hammered on our rallies!
I also saw Phil Ynysboeth who had found a mini Roman hoard! Well two coins to be precise!
Well done mate - virtually the only Roman I saw all day.
Having duly overdosed on black coffee, I was next detecting alone on the stubble by the car park when Mickey Coin called me over to tell me that a cracking Mary Groat had been found! What a beauty it was - well done HedgeHog - the best profile I have seen on a coin found at any Rally. you must be really pleased with it. Congratulations.
As if that wasn't enough, rumour then got to me that Ancient Pat had found a gold ring! Not gold two rallies running surely? But, true enough Pat had found a beautiful 22ct band - looks late Victorian to me. A lovely find for a really nice guy - well done!
Just to complete the day - as I was packing away I heard that James2nd (his username) had also found a hammered groat - this time we think of James 1st and dated 1606 - how apt!
The day was over and we drove home to the news that Wales were losing to Italy - I won't tell you the final score just in case you haven't seen it!
Well Done Rob for getting the site and arranging the glorious weather for us!
In all seriousness without people like Rob and Altinkum (last month) we would struggle to have rallies. Two people (you know who you are) approached me about more proposed Rallies and it all sounds very promising. Geoff or I will be in touch lads - thanks for sorting that out, its what we need to keep progressing as we are.
Hope you all enjoyed the day.
Neil
