Happy New Year

Wishing you all a Happy New Year for 2012 from Southumbria

Events - get yours mentioned on this blog

In a history, archaeology or metal detecting society and want your events publicising on here?  Are you an author who wants to publicise a new book or do you want to get an article out to the greater public?  

So long as the event is in Nottinghamshire or South Yorkshire or the book article is about the area or people from this part of the world we'll gladly help. There's no charge as this service is set up to work for the community and to publicise as much of our great wealth of history as possible. 

E-mail me at priorieshistoricalsociety[@]rocketmail.com

News - Medieval gold ring declared treasure (Thurcroft)

A METAL detecting enthusiast unearthed a 14th century gold ring studded with a ruby and an emerald, an inquest heard.

Metal finishing plant worker Paul McEvoy, 44, found the medieval finger ring just six inches beneath the soil surface in a field in Thurcroft, Rotherham.

Mr McEvoy, from Dinnington, told the Rotherham hearing: “I thought I had dug up a squash bottle top but it turned out to be a ring.”

He said he had been metal detecting for an hour and until then had only found modern spoons, nails and a buckle.

The find, made in July, 2009, was verified by Beverley Nenk from the British Museum.

Landowners Judith and Hedley Leaning were at the inquest and said the land which had been left fallow after growing wheat was farmed by Richard Crowe from Tickhill.

It is not yet known how valuable the ring is or where it will end up.

Assistant deputy coroner Jonathan Godfrey declared the ring treasure trove under the Treasure Act.

He said: “I am satisfied that the item that was found by Mr McEvoy was a gold finger ring with two stones, one green and one red. Having regard to its age and that it is gold it is treasure.”

The ring is being held by Retford Museum.

From: http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/at-a-glance/main-section/medieval_gold_ring_declared_treasure_1_3940821

Event - Local History Fair (1st October 2011) (Creswell Crags)

Come and join us at Creswell Crags and learn more about your local area.

On Saturday 1st October from 10.30am until 4.00pm, Creswell Crags will be hosting the now annual Local History Fair. This special event gathers groups together from across the region and gives visitors the opportunity to find out more about their local area. The event will be opened officially by the director of the Creswell Heritage Trust, Ian Wall at 11.00 and a playlet will be performed at various times through the day by the Friends of Sheffield Manor Lodge. Presenters from over 20 societies will be displaying artefacts and on hand to answer questions. We invite everyone with an interest in the area to come along and join us. Additional parking will be available at Lafarge Car Park with a shuttle bus ferrying visitors back to the museum.

The event is free and parking at the centre is by donation.

From: http://www.creswell-crags.org.uk/Whats-On/Events/2011/10/local_history_fair_

2011 Priories Historical Society AGM

The Annual General Meeting of the Priories Historical Society will take place on Monday 19th September at 7.30 in oldcotes Village Hall.

Agenda

1) Chairman to open meeting

2) Minutes of last years AGM

3) Chairmans Report

4) Secretarys Report

5) Treasurers Report

6) Subsriptions

7) Constitution

8) Metal Detecting

9) Grant Position

10) Election of Committee Members

Close of AGM, followed by normal Committee meeting

Event - Metal Detecting Lecture by Brian Booth (Oldcotes)

The meeting this Monday (Sept 12th) will be by Brian Booth from Warsop Metal Detector Society on Metal Detecting.

Starts at 7.30 at Oldcotes Village Hall, on Maltby Road (A634) just north of Worksop.  Tickets are available on the door £3 for non-members and £2 for members. Membership is only £5 per year.

Article - “Charity Metal Detecting Rallies”: A racket exposed (Everywhere)

Detecting forum UKDN recently made a new rule forbidding reference to “sales of coins or artefacts on EBay”. They deny it’s to keep it from the public that many of them are engaged in selling finds but it’s hard to see how telling people to keep quiet about something isn’t keeping something quiet. Anyhow, their denials have just become even less credible. They’ve posted an advert for a detecting rally at Little Maplestead, Essex with an extraordinary “license agreement” that the landowners have already signed and crucially it says: “Only items subject to the Treasure Act 1996 are to be divided 50/50 with the respective landowners.” Trouble is, those items all belong to the State so can’t possibly be subject to a private agreement to share them, as detectorists all know. The sole effect is to make the landowner think the detectorists are offering him something. They aren’t!

Worse, since it specifies “only” Treasure items will be shared it means non Treasure items don’t have to be. Yet non Treasure items are often far more valuable than Treasure items and anyway comprise 99.9% of anything that’s likely to be found! Let me put it in stark terms: almost every item found, be it worth ten pounds or ten thousand, has been signed over in full to the detectorists and if another Crosby Garrett Helmet is found the landowner will get nothing and the detectorist will get £2.3 million! Did anyone explain? Would the landowners have signed if they’d understood? And there’s more. The £14 entry fees (but not the finds, nota bene) go to Maplestead Round Church restoration (as they should!) so it is presented as an entirely beneficial “charity” event – to such an extent that the Friends of the Little Maplestead Round Church are running a food and drink stall to supply those that are busy relieving the locals, the church funds and the landowner of 100% of what is found!

So there we are. Doubtless the locals have heard the universal detectorists’ mantra “we’re only interested in history” and assume the attendees are all charitably minded heritage heroes for whom the selling of finds is anathema (and visiting detecting websites like UKDN won’t have taught them otherwise!) And even if they did have fleeting doubts, PAS will be there, giving every impression the whole process is archaeologically sound, officially sanctioned and not at all an oikish, unnecessary, damaging and acquisitive racket.

Finally, if you still don’t think there’s a problem that officialdom ought to warn the public about, consider this simple truth: if communities are dead set on allowing the digging up of their local archaeological record to raise charity money (and they shouldn’t be – let them ask PAS or any archaeologist in private what they think) they’d be vastly better off hiring a few detecting machines for their local amateur archaeology society to do it (although their ethics would hopefully preclude it). That way, 100% of any government Treasure rewards could go to the charity, 100% of all the other finds could go to the charity and 100% of the finds would be willingly and accurately reported to PAS (making the exercise less damaging than any metal detecting rally in history!) Let’s hope it never happens*** but tell me Dear Reader, if avoidable archaeological damage had to take place would you rather it was on the basis that £2.3 million might go to a church restoration fund or to self-proclaimed history lovers every one of whom had signed a contract ensuring every single last penny went to themselves and not the landowner or charity?

________________________________________________________________________________________
*** P S:
This might be the first time anyone has mentioned DYCAAS (Do-it-Yourself Community Archaeological Artefact Stripping) so I should clarify I’m against it. But it illustrates two truths:

First, it shows up the illogicality of British official policy. Big Society or not, The Establishment would never get involved in a stunt by a local community to dig up artefacts to raise money for charity. They’d see it as crass and uncivilised. Yet that’s what they do in the case of charity detecting rallies which produce less benefit to charity and cause more damage to the archaeological record.

Second, it confronts detectorists with their own dogma. They endlessly opine that the way to combat nighthawking is to invite them to strip sites that might otherwise be nighthawked. DYCAAS is the product of identical thinking. Amateur archaeologists would be invited to strip sites that might otherwise be subjected to charity metal detecting rallies since that would deliver, beyond scope for serious denial, more benefits for charity and less harm to the archaeological record. A group that proclaims its primary concerns are to serve the public interest, raise money for charity and preserve history could hardly object to that.

From: http://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2011/08/16/charity-metal-detecting-rallies-a-racket-exposed/

News – Priories Historical Society new committee members (Oldcotes)

The Priories Historical Society are proud to announce that we have a new Chairperson; Maureen Broadhead, previously the Vice-Chairperson, will be taking over the reins with immediate effect.

Alan Gisbourne has now become the Vice Chairperson.

Article - Warriors wielding metal detectors redraw ancient maps of England (Nottinghamshire)

Amateurs using metal detectors have found record amounts of golden treasure and priceless scraps of history across England, according to an annual report from the British Museum.

All the items were reported to archaeologists under a scheme which the museum's director, Neil MacGregor, called "quite unique in Europe".

MacGregor recently presented the successful Radio 4 series, A History of the World in 100 Objects.

The report shows that 2010 was an exceptional year, with 859 treasure discoveries (up by 10%) and 90,146 other finds (up 36%).

The finds are helping draw new maps of invasion, settlement, trade and warfare across thousands of years of English history.

All were reported through the treasure and portable antiquities schemes based at the museum, which maintains a network of finds officers across England.

As the detectorists and the officers have got to know and trust one another, reports of both treasure and other ancient items – such as bits of broken horse harness – have increased dramatically.

Since the portable antiquities scheme (PAS) was established in 1997, more than 700,000 finds have been reported.

It will cost about £1.3m in the next year but, according to arts minister Ed Vaizey, it is "very cost effective. That's probably a very vulgar thing to say, but it is – and it's the envy of the world".

The finds often provoke awe, wonder or covetousness. But occasionally a discovery will elicit ribald laughter.

One such was a knife handle found in a field in Lincolnshire, and bought – for under £1,000 – by the Collection museum in Lincoln. The handle shows three people – a man, a youth and a woman – entwined in an erotic embrace. The youth is clasping a decapitated head to his chest.

"My colleagues are used to me talking about some amazing find that's come in," said Antony Lee, the archaeologist at the museum who was first shown the artefact by its finder, David Barker.

"This time there was quite a crowd in the staff room, and many unprintable comments. Other knife handles like this have been found – all from Britain – but nobody else has the decapitated head. Ours is unique in that respect.

"It is on display, but we haven't had the nerve to bring it out for an education day yet."

The display label says diffidently: "The significance of the decapitated head is unclear."

Lee added delicately: "If you look carefully, you'll see that the woman is the sleeping partner as it were."

The British Museum report covers treasure finds, which must by law be reported, and other objects which detectorists are encouraged to report and can then keep or sell.

They include a hoard of 840 iron age gold coins from a dairy farm at Wickham Market, Suffolk.

Dave Breen, son of the landowner, recalled: "I got the call on April the first, and on the day my father retired, so I naturally assumed it was a wind-up."

The hoard was the largest found since the 19th century and contained coins probably made for Boudicca's Iceni tribe a few decades before she led a rebellion which torched Colchester and London.

The coins were valued at £300,000, a figure shared between finder and farmer.

A field in West Yorkshire yielded five fabulous pieces of gold, assumed to be a Viking's loot, including a massive ring containing an ounce of pure gold.

It was, archaeologist Helen Geake said, "a ring of power – it could have been worn by a prince either of the church or state".

Vaizey said: "Perhaps we could have one made for David Cameron, just to show the people the power and status that he now enjoys."

MacGregor's favourite find was a thumbnail sized 15th century gold locket found at Rolleston, Nottinghamshire.

This was inscribed Cauns repentir, meaning without regret – "the earliest reference in history to the title of the famous Edith Piaf song," MacGregor said with tongue in cheek.

The British Museum has acquired it and put it with another found in Nottinghamshire in 1966. The items are so similar that they may have been made by the same goldsmith, and it is believed both were hidden during the trauma of the Wars of the Roses (1455-1485).

One of the humblest finds was George II penny carefully defaced by a sailor with a beautifully drawn phallus, found in the Thames by Steve Brooker, a tower block window installer who potters about in the mud on his days off.

"The finds reported through the portable antiquities scheme and treasure are changing our understanding of the past, helping archaeologists learn where people lived and died and how these finds were used," MacGregor said.

"But what is truly exciting is that these finds are being made by the public, not in most cases by archaeologists, transforming the archaeological map of Britain."

From: http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2011/may/25/metal-detector-ancient-england-maps?commentpage=last#end-of-comments

News - Gem discoveries are declared as treasure (Notts)

A MEDIEVAL stud and a 17th Century ring found in Notts were among the items classed as treasure at an inquest.

The hearing at Nottingham Coroners' Court heard that the gold and garnet stud was found by Nigel Somerfield, when metal detecting in north Notts last year.

The exact location of the find was not declared to prevent others digging up the land.

The stud was sent to the British Museum, where experts confirmed that it was a button from a sword scabbard.

It has been dated to the early seventh century, probably between 600 and 650AD.

The stud is small, but similar to items discovered in the Staffordshire Hoard – the largest collection of Anglo-Saxon gold and silver metalwork ever found, valued at more than £3 million.

As the stud was more than 300 years old and contained more than ten per cent precious metal, it was formally declared as treasure by Stephanie Haskey, Assistant Deputy Coroner for Notts.

She said: "The British Museum has said that museums are interested in acquiring the stud, but it is not clear exactly where it will go and whether it will join its more famous comparisons or stay locally."

Other items declared treasure at the inquest included a 18th Century silver thimble, found in Southwell by Gary Zdanowski and a gold ring found in Notts in July last year by Trevor Avis.

The ring has black enamel patterns on the outside and words engraved on the inside which roughly translate to say 'Let local amenity separate annuity'.

The court heard that it had been dated to the 17th Century and that similar items were exhibited in the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

The rings were often given as gifts between lovers and friends, and were sometimes used as wedding rings.

Newark and Sherwood museum have expressed an interest in acquiring the ring. Its value was not disclosed.

Miss Haskey thanked Mr Avis for reporting the item.

From: http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/news/Gem-discoveries-declared-treasure/article-3581919-detail/article.html

News – Field Survey Study at Braithwell (Priories Historical Society)

Priories Historical Society took part in its first field survey at Braithwell, South Yorkshire on Sunday 27^th March.  The morning was very cold as I arrived, the sky was scattered with grey cloud which made the day look daunting but during the day the sky cleared leaving a beautiful blue sky.  The field was originally five fields over time these boundaries have been removed.  At least one of these boundaries seems to have been made from stone due to the change in soil colour and blocks of limestone present although this could have been a hedge and the limestone in this area might not have been cleared during field improvements.  

 

There were many finds during the day. The field is littered with bits of clay pipe throughout although there is a concentration to the northern hedge possibly indicating where the labourers rested and ate whilst working in the field.  Glass and modern pottery is also numerous so care was taken when inspecting shards. Roman finds were quite numerous in one section of the field so this will be inspected further on the next few visits.  This pottery comprised mainly greyware but other more exquisite pieces were also found.  The star find of the day was a Charles II farthing coin from 1674 (with the date below Britannia).  At some point livestock have been kept in the field as there are numerous bone fragments.

 

To be able to go on Field Surveying with the society you need to become a member which is a nominal amount of £5 per year (due in April), this also gets you £1 off meetings and free copies of the societies magazine.  There is also a Health & Safety document which needs to be signed.  If you wish to metal detect with us you will need to have approved Metal Detector Insurance (NCMD or FID) and have to be vetted by the committee before being allowed on-site.