We were represented at the conference by Dave Crisp and Alan Tamblyn, who travelled up to London for a very successful two days. On the Monday we had a meeting with David Arnold, who is creating a group similar to the NCMD in Germany and was keen to meet up with us for future collaboration. He was presenting at the conference and he took a different slant on the benefits of detecting, highlighting the huge environmental benefits of detectorists clearing the plough soil of toxic metals such as lead, that currently pollute the food chain and water courses.
The conference itself had some interesting presentations, highlighting the benefit of the data that finds recording provides, see the video below to watch the presentations. It was good to be networking with all the usual names such as Ian Richardson, Michael Lewis, Roger Bland and numerous archaeologists and FLO’s.
Highlight of the day – we were approached by a former FLO who helped to set the scheme up in Wales and who has just been employed to set up a finds recording process in Northern Ireland. He is keen to involve us in the process, as is the NI Government who had specifically requested that we be involved. First step is likely to be a meeting in Belfast between all parties, which will probably end up being similar to the steering group set up in Scotland.
