Susan Desmond, president, welcomed the members to this monthly meeting of the Werrington Ladies Circle and introduced the speaker Adrian Farquharson from the North Cornwall Metal Detectors who gave a talk and demonstration on Looking for Treasure.

Adrian began by given the members a short overview of the metal detector. A metal detector is a machine that can detect various grades and types of metals and can discriminate between iron, copper, metal, silver and gold. Typically, it will notify the user that metal has been found via a series of beeping noises. Metal detectors can be used by everyday people who enjoy looking for metal as a hobby. The 1950’s and 1960’s saw metal-detecting becoming much more popular as a hobby, and smaller devices were developed that people could carry with them.  The first metal detector was invented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1881.

Metal-detecting can be a lot of fun, and sometimes, it can also be a very lucrative adventure. When you use a metal detector, you can find anything from jewellery and coins to historic items. While the art of metal-detecting can take some patience and skill, it is a great way to get exercise and maybe find a special hidden treasure.

People must have the land owner’s permission to detect on any land. This includes parks, public spaces, woods, common land and public footpaths. Beaches are a good place to detect as no permission is needed. Dig carefully and fill in your holes properly. Any coin that pre dates 1725 comes under the Treasury laws and has to be recorded online.

Adrian had some artefacts on display with most of them originating from digs in the St Columb area of Cornwall.  The oldest coin was Roman which was over 2000 years old.  Other coins on display were a James 1st Groat dating from 1603-1625, Elizabethan 1st penny, Richard 1st penny dating from 1189-1199 to name but a few.  Adrian also had on display a lead bullet from the English Civil War, medieval cooking pot legs shaped into lion and bear feet, Victorian brass horse harness decoration, 16th-17th century bronze crotal bells which hung on the horses harnesses.  A selection of buttons and shoe buckles were also found together with lead bag seals of sowing crop bags.

After the talk Adrian took the members into the neighbouring farmers field to have a practice at doing some metal detecting of their own (permission was sought from the farmer).  Adrian had bought along several metal detectors along with spades and shovels.  The members had an exciting time looking for treasurer with items of metal being found such as a piece off a plough, drink can tins, gate hinge, desert spoon and metal fencing wire to name but a few.

The evening finished with refreshments being served by Mrs Agnes Colwell and Mrs Deniese Willis.

If anyone is interested in joining us and becoming a member of the Werrington Ladies Circle then please contact Susan, president, on 01566 773768.