Fibula the reason I posed this thread was: a few months ago I met three young men (30's) metal detecting and on chatting with them they kindly let me have a go on one of their machines. I was amazed at the changes in the law concerning 'Treasure Trove' and even more amazed at the attitude of archaeologists towards the hobby of metal detecting. I was reluctant to inform them I was an archaeologist (some years ago) but they were only too happy to talk on and even invite me out with them on their next outing. I can not form an honest opinion so early but I will give you an up-date when I return. I now subscribe to a magazine 'Treaure Hunter' and I am surprised to see how informed these detectorists are about local history. I was put to shame when talking to these lads a they (being much younger than I) knew more about the area than I did. Have you ever used a detectorist on any of your sites? More to the point would you be allowed to? Fibula, why dont you go out with a club or individual detectorist and then form an opinion. I think it would soften slightly, they are not all 'bully boys and grave robbers' as most archaeologists would have us think. I beg you to try it. I will let you know how I get on.

Digger