Helllo Everyone, I am new to this forum so please go easy on me ok

 I am 47 years old and a budding Metal detectorist.  All my life I have wanted a good metal detector and have recently purchased one.  Gaining access to farm land though is proving to be very difficult however I have managed to secure 2 farms fairly local to me in the West Midlands.  I'm not a member of any club, it's just me and a friend who are very responsible, we only dig small holes and make sure they are all filled in perfectly afterwards, we make sure all gates are secured and all junke we find is taken away with us so no animals can get hurt.

I was wondering if there are any Farmers reading this what their opinion was on metal detectorists and why so many won't let people like myself on their land.

 I personally like to think I am doing the Farmers a bit of a favour by getting rid of rubbish off the land and basically keeping an eye out for any problems on the land that the Farmer may not be aware of such as a fence being broken or a sick animal, so in effect we are both doing each other a favour and of course there is always the chance that I could uncover something priceless to share with the Farmer or unearth some important history to catalogue.

As I said I am new to this and by no means think I know it all but I am keen to learn and take on board your views and concerns.

Kind regards

Conna.

Conna. We get first time detectorists on the forum on a regular basis seeking land over which to ply their hobby. Your posting is slightly different in that it suggests some mutual benefits in that you can spot broken fences of sickly stock.

My own view is that you would be doubly welcome if you could set up as a combined ferret operator and detectorist.

All the best with your hobby.

Hi Conna, welcome. I've met a few metal detectorists over the years and they've always been very nice, very responsible people - but I think what you're saying is right, that farmers are often reluctant to allow them on their land. It's like with anything, I guess - probably it's the small minority who give the vast majority a bad name when it comes to such things as shutting gates etc. There also may be a wariness in these days of litigation by farmers to let people on their land when they don't need to. What happens, for example, if the person strays into the yard where dangerous machinery is working or goes into a field where there are dangerous animals? I wonder if it might be worth you joining a local club - simply because the club might have a relationship with some farmers and already have access to some land...

Hi Tim

Initially I did think about joining a club and spoke to the secretary of the uk largest metal detecting clubin Bloxwich but basically the thought of 40+ people all on one piece of farm land put me off.  Regarding the Litigation and getting hurt, I suppose one could always sign a disclaimer before entering onto any farm land but I myself have spent most of my weekend life in the countryside and around farm animals so I like to think I am aware of the dangers that me be present. I wouldn't operate in a field that was being worked on anyway or if there was a field full of cattle with their young Calf, been there before and done that lol. I think I am more probably going to get hurt by uneven paving slabs going to work as they are in a terrible state around Wolverhampton

Re Peter's comments about Ferrets, as much as I know Rabbits are a nuisance to Farmers, I couldn't hurt one.

Re the metal detecting though, it never ceases to amaze me what you find on farmers fields, all sorts of bits of Lead, brass and Copper bits n pieces and lots of Victorian Copper coins (mostly corroded) We recently found a 1696 King George Silver Shilling and a Silver ring, I marvel and wonder at how they got there in the first place.

 Many thanks.

conna:

Re the metal detecting though, it never ceases to amaze me what you find on farmers fields

I expect you've already read lots about this Conna - but I was fascinated to hear about the hoard found on Staffordshire farmland a little while back...

Indeed I was Tim it's stuff dreams are made of, it was only up the road from me in Burntwood and apparently there had been metal detectorists on the land many times before and had not found anything.  I must admit though, I do enjoy finding Musket balls and Victorian coins.  Maybe I will hit the jackpot one day but I won't hold my breath lol.

Fine with metal detectorists, but clubs only. Proper insurance and references vital.

Here's a recent article in The Times about the farmer whose land the Staffs hoard was found on....