14th December 2005, 03:39 PM
Since the metal detectorists themselves have fallen out over providing their own codes of conduct (!), here they are.
Both in fact pretty useless, at least the NCMD one refers to the Treasure Act 1996 and uses the phrase 'Portable Antiquities'. As our Host points out, both are pretty dated - the NCMD one is 'Revised 2000' and the FID one is dated 1996.
A. National Council for Metal Detecting
1. Do not trespass. Obtain permission before venturing on to any land.
2. Respect the Country Code.Do not leave gates open, and do not damage crops or frighten animals.
3.Wherever the site, do not leave a mess or an unsafe surface for those who may follow. It is perfectly simple to extract a coin or other small object buried a few inches below the ground without digging a great hole. Use a suitable digging implement to cut a neat flap (do not remove the plug of earth entirely from the ground), extract the object, reinstate the grass, sand or soil carefully, and even you will have difficulty in locating the find spot again.
4. If you discover any live ammunition or any lethal object such as an unexploded bomb or mine, do not disturb it. Mark the site carefully and report the find to the local police and landowner.
5. Help keep Britain tidy. Safely dispose of refuse you come across.
6. Report all unusual historical finds to the landowner, and acquaint yourself with current NCMD policy relating to the Voluntary Reporting of Portable Antiquities.
7. Remember it is illegal for anyone to use a metal detector on a protected area(e.g. scheduled archaeological site, SSSI, or Ministry of Defence property) without permission from the appropriate authority.
8. Acquaint yourself with the definitions of Treasure contained in the Treasure Act 1996 and its associated Code of Practice, making sure you understand your responsibilities.
9. Remember that when you are out with your metal detector you are an ambassador for our hobby. Do nothing that might give it a bad name.
10. Never miss an opportunity to explain your hobby to anyone who asks about it.
B. Federation of Independent Detectorists
1. Get permission before detecting on private land. Never Trespass.
2. Make an agreement on sharing finds with the landowner to avoid any later misunderstandings.
3. Report all your finds to the landowner, even those that must be declared to the Coroner as well.
4. Remember to shut all gates, never walk through standing crops, do not startle animals or nesting birds.
5. Fill all holes, even on ploughed land or beaches. Never leave a mess or damage grass, a sharp trowel will cut a neat plug and once replaced and firmed in, the find spot will almost be invisible.
6. Most metal rubbish can be recycled, the Planet belongs to all of us, so dispose of your unwanted iron, lead, cans, silver paper etc. With care for the environment, and never leave junk on the site.
7. Never detect on a scheduled archaeological site, to do so is a criminal offence unless you have permission from the Secretary of State for National Heritage.
8. Report all Gold or Silver artefacts over 300 years old to the local Coroner, also hoards of coins or plate of any age or material.
9. All bombs, mines, ammunition or chemical containers, should have the find spot marked and be reported to the Police. Never attempt to move them yourself.
10. As a FID member you have a lot to be proud of, so always be friendly to people who ask about your hobby, help them find lost metal objects when requested and never break this "Code of Conduct" or give the hobby a bad image.
Both in fact pretty useless, at least the NCMD one refers to the Treasure Act 1996 and uses the phrase 'Portable Antiquities'. As our Host points out, both are pretty dated - the NCMD one is 'Revised 2000' and the FID one is dated 1996.
A. National Council for Metal Detecting
1. Do not trespass. Obtain permission before venturing on to any land.
2. Respect the Country Code.Do not leave gates open, and do not damage crops or frighten animals.
3.Wherever the site, do not leave a mess or an unsafe surface for those who may follow. It is perfectly simple to extract a coin or other small object buried a few inches below the ground without digging a great hole. Use a suitable digging implement to cut a neat flap (do not remove the plug of earth entirely from the ground), extract the object, reinstate the grass, sand or soil carefully, and even you will have difficulty in locating the find spot again.
4. If you discover any live ammunition or any lethal object such as an unexploded bomb or mine, do not disturb it. Mark the site carefully and report the find to the local police and landowner.
5. Help keep Britain tidy. Safely dispose of refuse you come across.
6. Report all unusual historical finds to the landowner, and acquaint yourself with current NCMD policy relating to the Voluntary Reporting of Portable Antiquities.
7. Remember it is illegal for anyone to use a metal detector on a protected area(e.g. scheduled archaeological site, SSSI, or Ministry of Defence property) without permission from the appropriate authority.
8. Acquaint yourself with the definitions of Treasure contained in the Treasure Act 1996 and its associated Code of Practice, making sure you understand your responsibilities.
9. Remember that when you are out with your metal detector you are an ambassador for our hobby. Do nothing that might give it a bad name.
10. Never miss an opportunity to explain your hobby to anyone who asks about it.
B. Federation of Independent Detectorists
1. Get permission before detecting on private land. Never Trespass.
2. Make an agreement on sharing finds with the landowner to avoid any later misunderstandings.
3. Report all your finds to the landowner, even those that must be declared to the Coroner as well.
4. Remember to shut all gates, never walk through standing crops, do not startle animals or nesting birds.
5. Fill all holes, even on ploughed land or beaches. Never leave a mess or damage grass, a sharp trowel will cut a neat plug and once replaced and firmed in, the find spot will almost be invisible.
6. Most metal rubbish can be recycled, the Planet belongs to all of us, so dispose of your unwanted iron, lead, cans, silver paper etc. With care for the environment, and never leave junk on the site.
7. Never detect on a scheduled archaeological site, to do so is a criminal offence unless you have permission from the Secretary of State for National Heritage.
8. Report all Gold or Silver artefacts over 300 years old to the local Coroner, also hoards of coins or plate of any age or material.
9. All bombs, mines, ammunition or chemical containers, should have the find spot marked and be reported to the Police. Never attempt to move them yourself.
10. As a FID member you have a lot to be proud of, so always be friendly to people who ask about your hobby, help them find lost metal objects when requested and never break this "Code of Conduct" or give the hobby a bad image.