Latest news with #metal detecting
BBC News
29-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Gold ring found 'gleaming in the sunshine' in Norfolk field
A mental detectorist has discovered a gold mourning ring dating from the 16th Century "gleaming in the sunshine". Malcom Weale, 53, unearthed the ring in August, in a field in Norfolk. The piece of jewellery, linked to an ancestor of Gawdy Hall Estate in Harleston, is believed to have been created in memory of Sir Bassingbourne Gawdy, the 3rd Baronet of Harling, who died in a hunting accident in 1723, aged Weale said when he spotted it "I knew this was something very special and I did a bit of a dance". Mr Weale, 53, who has been a detectorist since he was seven years old, found the piece, that was crafted in gold and enamel, after searching the area for 18 months. He also discovered "some medieval silver coins from King Steven to Henry VII, some modern coins, some vape ring pulls and shotgun caps". The ring has been declared treasure at Norfolk Coroner's Court and will now be taken to the British Museum for valuation, to see how much money the finder and landowner will Weale said: "Over the years I've found all sorts of treasures including a hoard of late Roman coins, gold rings and jewellery."Last year was a particularly good year for detecting as, thanks to the rainfall, the moisture levels in the ground were very high."With metal detecting you can spend days, weeks or months searching, or sometimes just 20 minutes and make an amazing discovery." 'Six inches down in the mud' On the day of the discovery "there it was, a glint of pure gold, shiny as the day it was dropped, six inches down in the mud". "It's very rare to put a name to anything you find, but I knew this was something very special and I did a bit of a dance," he also discovered "a gold memorial ring, a medieval silver ring fragment, and the first and only Viking penny minted for Guthrum - a Viking warlord who became the first Viking king to convert to Christianity and ruled East Anglia in the 870s". The Gawdy family is believed to have been descended from Sir Brews Gawdey, a French knight who was captured during the Hundred Years being taken prisoner in 1352, it appears he was naturalised and settled in Suffolk, although the Gawdy Hall estate is just north of the River Waveney in Norfolk. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
24-05-2025
- BBC News
'Nighthawkers' in illegal dig at historic Devon site
Police are investigating an incident of illegal metal detecting at the historic Lydford Castle and Saxon Town site in unauthorised activity, known as nighthawking, involved the digging of multiple holes at the protected 13th Century site, a scheduled monument managed by English site features a 13th Century tower on a mound, built as a prison which became notorious for harsh punishments, a Norman earthwork castle and Saxon town defencesMark Harrison, head of heritage crime at Historic England, said the offenders were "stealing from all of us and damaging something which is often irreplaceable". Most metal detectorists followed the law and adhered to codes of practice, he said, warning illegal detecting posed a serious threat to the nation's heritage."Significant progress has been made tackling heritage crime, but there is more that can be done," said Mr Harrison."With the support of government, the hard work of the police, and the help of the community and volunteers, we can help ensure that our heritage is protected and preserved for future generations."Devon and Cornwall Police said: "We were notified following a report of a number of holes recently being dug at the English Heritage site Lydford Castle and Saxon Town without permission."At this time, there are no viable lines of enquiry however if further evidence comes to light the incident can be re-visited."
