Comments on: Institute of Detectorists – a cause for concern?

By: Paul

Paul — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 18:43:27 +0000

In reply to Rob.

Rob, Thankyou for you detailed and considered post. This was our first article on the IOD. We have subsequently published a second article https://detectingfinds.co.uk/iod-the-hidden-agenda where we detailed Keith Westcott’s real intentions using his own words . I would welcome your views on that article.

By: Rob

Rob — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 21:47:13 +0000

Hi this, post worries me as it seems to frame the intentions of Keith Westcott and the creation of an Institute as one man’s bid to ban detecting. The image at the top suggests that there is an effort on the part of Keith Westcott and archaeologists to ban metal detecting as a hobby – that is inaccurate. The fact is that more sites that currently are ‘out of bounds’ will be available through the cooperation of detectorists and archaeologists.
There are obviously questions that need to be answered/clarified which is the case with any new positive idea that attempts to unite people toward a common understanding. Critically evaluating the proposal is different to being critical of the project/proposal or the people who support or don’t support it. What I am really trying to say is that I was a bit dismayed to find that this article is really designed to fire the fears of hobbyists with the intention of creating failure. I cannot comment on the NCMD or the relationship that they have with Mr Westcott but to anyone reading these posts it is clear that he has been smeared and the whole of the project damned as an attempt to restrict and ban people from pursuing their hobby which it quite clearly isn’t. It is an attempt to raise the status of detecting and provide a foundation from which to understand the many other aspects of our culture. Metal detecting is after all immediately associated with metal artefacts, or Metal Material Culture and today modern archaeologists realise not only the importance of the use of detectors and the skill that hobbyists attain, but also the immense body of knowledge that detector users have in various areas and consider them as specialists.
I have read several posts on different websites regarding this and I must say that both sides of the ‘argument’ which it now is, sadly, should be a little more reasonable and better informed when posting their opinions.
With regard to the financial aspect of this – the £50,000 granted by Historic England – if there was any suggestion of foul play it would be thoroughly investigated by HE themselves who require reports regarding the funding decision that they have made and of course companies house as I believe that it is a Community Interest Company which has to account for everything down to the last shekel. There is no attempt to replace or supersede the NCMD, if there was it is very unlikely that they would be invited to join the advisory board. They were invited as they are a respected organisation. It is really sad that someone somewhere mis understood the whole point and as a result the negative fear mongering has blighted the beginning of something good and positive.
Wouldn’t it be the coolest thing if you asked your kids what they did at school today and they answered that they spent their history lesson learning and doing some detecting as part of their research into Romans, Saxon etc ? And that is the point of the IoD. Education and opportunity, not restriction bans and negative personal squabbling based upon an inaccurate understanding what is trying to be achieved. If it were, I personally would not support the initiative. The days of that deep rift between archaeologists and detectorists has passed.
I am a metal detectorist and I am an archaeologist. Today I have been excavating a Roman Fort alongside community volunteers, metal detectorists and a plethora of other interesting positive people. I wouldn’t be an archaeologist if I had not initially been a metal detectorist from the age of 13. Today the director of the dig verbalised his full support for the use of metal detectors and they are also covered in degree level archaeology courses which makes it very clear that the prevailing attitude amongst archaeologists is a positive one.
It will be interesting to see if my post is actually published as I am aware that the debate has become quite heated to the extent that people have been threatened. This just isn’t acceptable at any level especially when we are talking about the use of a scientific device to find objects in the ground!

By: dave foster

dave foster — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 20:20:18 +0000

what has this money been used for are there any accounts open to the public as to where its money has gone/

By: dave foster

dave foster — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 20:18:23 +0000

Yes, and as such its aims are suspicious

By: dave foster

dave foster — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 20:14:31 +0000

Absolutely agree, as diverse a committee as possible should be the minimum, not a load pack.

By: andrew jones

andrew jones — Fri, 19 Mar 2021 19:52:35 +0000

Has this man had any Archaeological training , if he has he would realise that most people on a Archaeological dig are volunteers and are not professional people or have had the training they are probably members of there local or county archaeological society and no more , bearing this in mind how can he dictate to Detectorists about there behavior in the field, so to speak when archaeologists sometimes use j c b s to strip back the top soil then ask Detectorists to detect the spoil heaps to find all the metal finds that are missed by the diggers which means that these items cannot be recorded as they are out of context so the history is lost . If he gets his way both Detectorists and archaeologists will both be the poorer for there hobby, s . How Many items does he have recorded with Pas and how many has he kept once recorded ,will he be giving up his collection for the greater good of detecting and the country just a thought .He also forgets to mention that any metal item is a find and will need to be recorded and stored including all the rubbish as well and where will it all be stored as there is no space now and Archaeologists are returning finds to the site where they were found and are re buried so disturbing the site again .

By: C.Askew

C.Askew — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 17:44:23 +0000

In reply to Mr Jp Spain.

I have detected for 40 years and have been a member of the N.C.M.D since it’s formation.
Over the years l can honestly say that if the officers (past and present) who on the memberships behalf have given up their time voluntarily hadn’t been so vigilant we wouldn’t be enjoying our hobby today.
Why on earth should we want or need any other organisation to look after our interests?

C.Askew

By: Philip Wills

Philip Wills — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 14:04:23 +0000

After watching this guy on the Big Detecting Show, it was clear to everyone that he is not a detectorist and does not represent or support the detecting community (or archaeologists by the sound of it.) He has just seen an opportunity for a power grab and has self appointed a role and title and conned the government that he is a person of significance. He is not. It appears that he has fraudulently leeched money from the government because he managed to convince them that he represents us by giving himself a title. NCMD and other representatives should make this very clear. No detectorist, organisation or company should lend their support to this man. Stop him before it’s too late and we no longer have our hobby.

By: Nicholas Kaye

Nicholas Kaye — Fri, 26 Feb 2021 16:23:00 +0000

In his interview on the Big Detecting Show he came over as a wannabee archaeologist. He is focused on the heritage, which as metal detectorists we all are. No mention of the health benefits of detecting. I don’t attend rallies personally and he made it clear there will be restrictions brought in to such events and maybe smaller group digs. It would seem that the members of the advisory board, including several retailers are looking to benefit from their involvement, possibly by providing the training and/or licensing for metal detectorists. Other organisations like The Detector Network and The Big Detecting(archaelogy) Show (very few subscribers) are also looking to benefit from their involvement, possibly as an alternative to the PAS. The NCMD are right to be wary of involvement, it could be seen as legitimising this carve up.

By: Mr Jp Spain

Mr Jp Spain — Sat, 23 Jan 2021 15:50:46 +0000

This man is an snake oil salesman. It is just another money making scheme, that MUST be stopped.
It will impact the rest of us greatly, and before we know it you will HAVE to pay to do his stupid courses before you can detect. detectorists and the NCMD need to get a grip on this before it bites us all in the behind.