Metal detectorists are raising funds for charity.
The Underley Lodge of Freemasons in Kirkby Lonsdale has launched the initiative and the first event was held to help pay for repairs to the roof on the Masonic Hall.
All future events will be dedicated to supporting good causes locally and nationally.
The events are being led by Underley Lodge member Laurie Pearson, an enthusiastic metal detectorist, with over 40 years’ experience, in finding long buried valuable artefacts all over the UK.
On Sunday April 14, the first event took place on half of the 170 acres of farmland at Gatebeck near Kirkby Lonsdale, owned by Underley Lodge member Stephen Robinson.
Fifty-five detectorists from Scotland, the Midlands and northern England set off at 9am for a day of metal detecting, with great expectations.
The day raised more that £1,000 and many items were unearthed, including coins dating back to the reigns of Edward III, Mary I, Henry VIII, Charles I, George III and Queen Victoria, together with lots of late medieval buckles and buttons.
The day’s entry fees were donated to the Underley Lodge Building Fund and Stephen pledged his fee for the use of the land to the cause.
Another dig will take place on Sunday April 28, on the other half of Stephen’s land, also at Gatebeck.
This time the detectorists entry fees will be distributed to the Masonic Charitable Foundation and local charities.
Laurie now needs new land on which to organise future events so a plea has gone out for willing landowners to come forward.
They will receive 50% of the day’s entry fees paid by the participants. All digs are conducted under the patronage of the National Council for Metal Detectorists, who provide Public Liability Insurance for their members.
Laurie’s plan going forward is to roll this project out to other lodges around the province whose members can obtain permission themselves from their local landowners.
For more information email Laurie at [email protected]
