This time we look in the November 1978 issue of Treasure Hunting.
LARGE BUILDING FIRM PROMOTES TREASURE HUNTERS.
‘In view of the growing interest in metal detecting, and to aid treasure hunters in their endeavours, McLean Homes based at Barnsley is to sponsor four events in the next twelve months in conjunction with the Barnsley and District Treasure Hunting Club. Valuable residential areas which will soon provide sites in Derbyshire and Yorkshire, are to be made available to the club and other enthusiasts.
DETECTORS PROVIDED.
Quite apart from the existing devotees of the pastime who have their own equipment, McLean also intends making detectors available to families who have had no previous knowledge or experience of detecting. McLean’s idea is to promote a healthy outdoor pastime in which all the family can get involved, and of course the use of virgin sites previously untouched by modern earth moving machinery offers incalculable opportunities of unearthing objects hidden underneath the ground for years.
Trevor Wilson, managing director of McLean Homes said, “We noted that there was a growing interest in the hobby but that individuals and clubs often had difficulty in gaining permission to search. We have the land available and before launching our prime object of providing homes for newly weds and others, felt that we could do something tangible by supporting the pastime which captures the imagination of the whole family.”
The support of McLeans is good news for all treasure hunters and it is hoped that it will provide a trend that will be followed by other large companies.’
(With all these new builds springing up on the outskirts of villages in the area we cover there might be scope for obtaining a “pop up” permission or two.)
A regular feature in Treasure Hunter was the COUNTY SITE GUIDE. The author hoped that “This guide will provide hours of happy and successful hunting.” Sadly, the clues such as “ A field near Ashford,” are a bit vague – although that relates to a prize fight in 1859, so research might pinpoint the location.
KENT.
‘CRAYFORD. Nine Celtic gold bracelets were found here in 1907, on a site where eight others had been found a year earlier.’
(My guess is on/near the site of St Paulinus. The top of the hill has been a place of worship since Celtic times.)
‘CHISLEHURST. The famous CHISLEHURST caves contain some of the great legendary treasures of Britain, The Druid’s Hoard, a fantastic treasure accumulated during many centuries until the advent of Christianity caused the decline and persecution of the Druids.
It is said to be buried in a passage where there are three small holes close to each other, and thereunto a rock which hangs from the ceiling to the length of a man’s arm.’
(The writer must have been on a cave tour where the guides have their visitors spellbound by tales of Celts, Druids and Romans inhabiting the caves. Pity the tunnels were dug in the 19c to extract chalk to make lime for the building boom.)
A cheap memento mori or a Daily Mirror Treasure Hunt token buried in 1960?
Oi! That’s my hammered. Confusion reigns in Barnsley.
The Savo Dealer Christmas seminar. Tackily titled “A popular attraction of the seminar – Kim with the new Amphibian.”
Good signals,
Chairman Joe.
