Council plans rule change to encourage ‘responsible metal detecting’

A North Wales local authority is planning to change the rules over metal detecting on its land.

The Isle of Anglesey County Council  says it is currently preparing a metal detecting policy in a bid to encourage “responsible metal detecting.”

It is hoped that the changes will also mean more people sharing their finds with the county’s museum Oriel Môn “for everyone to enjoy”.

The new rules mean that only metal detectorists who are members of the National Council for Metal Detecting will be allowed to search council land.

According to the NCMD website, its organisation has for 40 years “promoted, protected, and encouraged metal detecting for our members”.

There are also benefits for detectorists who become members including ” insurance – up to £10m when taking part in commercial rallies, events, private  and group digs.

Membership costs  £8 for one year,  £15 for two years and  £22 for three years.

Register finds

An Anglesey County Council spokesperson said  “We are currently preparing a metal detecting policy which will limit metal detecting on Council land to members of the National Council for Metal Detecting [NCMD].

“We hope this will encourage responsible metal detecting and a consistent approach to requests received in relation to Council land.

 “It will also require detectorists to register their finds with recognised programmes such as the Portable Antiquities Scheme.”

The Portable Antiquities Scheme is a voluntary scheme to record archaeological objects found by members of the public in England and Wales.

The spokesperson said they were “grateful” to those who brought in their finds.

Just this week a rare Bronze Age axe head went on display at the museum in Llangefni after it was donated by metal detectorist Paul Rowlands.

He had found the exceptionally rare flanged prehistoric tool whilst hunting in a field in the Llanfaethlu area.

The spokesperson added: “We are very grateful to those who deposit items with Oriel Môn.

“It’s so important that objects from Anglesey’s past are able to be enjoyed by all our residents and visitors to the island.

“Although finds made on council land will be transferred to Oriel Môn (the county museum) for proper storage and exhibition, we would encourage anyone who unearths pieces of the past to get in touch.”

The Oriel Môn is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm and admission is free.

For further information contact 01248 724444 / www.orielmon.org / [email protected]

Also, see the National Council for Metal Detecting website here……..