Update: 14 March,2012 My first gold posey ring will probably go to the Epping Forest museum
Update: 14 March,2012 Thames metal detecting video click here
Update: 26 February, 2012: latest finds here
Update: 13 December, 2011: medieval, possibly lyre-playing, musician's silver ring found: see Chigwell gallery for photos
Hi. My name is Richard. I am very interested in local history and have been a keen amateur archeologist and metal detectorist for 30 years. I have many finds documented on various websites including www.youtube.com (50 videos). These can also be viewed on the Chigwell and Fairlop gallery pages where you are able to view slide shows of finds dating back to Richard I for Chigwell and the Bronze age for Fairlop. I also have a licence to detect at the Thames (see Thames' mudlarking link)
In October 2010, I discovered a very rare poesie ring dated 29 August 1657 which is in the British Museum and was declared treasure on 14 October, 2011, under the Treasure Act (T.A.) 1996.
It can be seen here:
Click here
Please also see the Chigwell gallery page to view the ring. In October, 2011, a 17th century silver thimble with a maker's mark and the owner's initials was unearthed, and this is currently being researched by the Museum Of London. This can be also be viewed in the Chigwell gallery
In March 2011, I discovered another poesie ring in Fairlop, this time embossed on the outside with a latin inscription inside, which would indicate that latin was still part of the language at that time (17th century). This can be seen here. A silver button on the gallery page also has wording in latin and would probably come from the same period
If you wish to uncover the history of your land and find artefacts of potential value; in return for your permission to detect on your land, I would offer to:
1 Report all worthwhile finds and discoveries to you, all subject to The Portable Antiquities Scheme and T.A. 1996 (which would mean that a museum would want to look at the object(s))
2 Share any finds or their subsequent value with you on the customary 50:50 basis and return anything that you have lost and requested me to find
3 Work tidily without leaving any mess and remove any unwanted items uncovered. The holes are created with 3 sides about 6 inches wide. The plug is folded towards the uncut side. Soil from the hole is placed on a cloth. The item is pinpointed and removed and the plug is lowered into its original position and a small cut is made in its turf to help it breathe and grow again
4 Respect your property and take care to avoid causing damage, loss or hindrance
5 Abide by any conditions you wish to impose. I am a member of the British Archaeology Society, a member of the National Council For Metal Detecting and have public liability insurance of £10M, both in the UK and abroad.
I abide by this click here
Please note that many of my clients use the dating information from the finds as an additional means of selling their house or property via its history. I can imagine a display case of finds from your garden/grounds and dating from the ages would look great
There is no call-out fee
My intention is to give you your history and NOT to keep it for myself. Alot of my finds are domated to schools
I also offer a free-of-charge local finding service for Chigwell, Ilford, Loughton, Stapleford Abbotts, Havering-Atte-Bower,etc
The video below is not mine but I use the same technique
