We had a metal detector once, but it was a cheap childs version and didn't work...how much does a proper one cost?

Nearer harrogate than the sea!

I find this site very addictive. I come on the computer to check e-mails, think I will have a quick look on here and then there I am stuck, cannot seem to be able to get off. It's easy if I am out (obviously), its when I am doing house jobs (heaven forbid) that I keep bobbing back on.

A long way from Harrogate but nearer the sea.

Belle, sorry I missed your post about the cost of metal detectors, I think I was on holiday when you posed the question. If you look in the "Summat fer Nowt" thread (the other one in the metal detecting section) you will find various links to relevant information that I posted when Stanley asked the very same question.

Have a look at Cally's posting re the Elizabethan Artefact also, (we've been having a bit of fun on the lawn)!

quote:

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we've been having a bit of fun on the lawn!

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I had thought about it but decided not to comment Cally, we all know what you are like

You could do with a detector strapped to the underneath of your boat. Just think of all the shopping trolleys you would find!!

Did anyone see the report on "The One Show" last night (friday) regarding the activity on the former site of "Durobrivae" (outskirts of Peterborough). Archeologist, David Connolly has enlisted the help of over 300 local metal detectorists to help map the site. This is groundbreaking stuff and I applaude him for his efforts, he has been slated by some of his colleagues and to some degree is putting his reputation on the line in this bold step. I does go to show that co-operation between archeologists and detectorists can lead to greater understanding of our past. They started the survey on Friday and showed a few of the items already unearthed, a celtic stater (coin) and a roman finger key. Fantastic stuff!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/theoneshow/article/2007/08/no_metaldetectives.shtml

The magazine show will be returning to the site on Monday (7pm BBC1) to see the results of the weekends activities. This is a really groundbreaking (excuse the pun) project, the first time that anything on this scale has been attempted, and can do nothing but good for the hobby. Can't wait to see the outcome on Monday.

Theirs no doubt about it Stanley although there is another scheme running called the "Countryside Stewardship Scheme" run by DEFRA which they are encouraging Farmers and Landowners to sign up to. It goes a bit like this, Payments are made to farmers and other land managers to "enhance and conserve English landscapes". What this actually means is that DEFRA now have a say in what you can and cannot do on your own land.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/erdp/schemes/css/default.htm

Now call me a bit cynical but Isn't that just what farmers have already been doing for the last 1000 or so years?  This smacks of the old system of barons and serfs in a "back door" sort of way, OK they havn't just taken the land like they did in the days of yore but it more or less amount to the same thing.

On of the downers for the metal detecting fraternity is the specific clause in the agreement that prohibits the use of metal detectors on any land covered by the scheme.

The £500M that they originally put up for this scheme has now gone and the scheme is closed for new applicants, however it has recently been replaced by a similar scheme called "Environmental Stewardship". I don't know the implications of this yet but I bet it won't be good news for detectorists.

Incidentaly, I have just read all of your "Early History of Barlick" articles, Fantastic! a reight good read. I have also read the "Barnoldswick Historic Town Survey" undertaken by LCC, I notice that you and the OGFB site are mentioned extensively in dispatches. One thing I did learn is that there are no scheduled sites declared in the area covered by the report.