If you’ve been in the metal detecting world for a while, you are sure to know about and maybe even attended a few metal detecting rallies. For those newbies among us - what are they all about?
Metal detecting rallies are amazing opportunities for like-minded detectorists to get together, usually over a weekend. They take place on private land and invite daytime detection where everyone can hunt to their heart’s content. Bigger rallies will have more of a festival feel, with food stalls and entertainment to boot which really add to the atmosphere. Rallies often have prizes, raffles, test areas, demonstrations, training and product releases, making them a perfect place for refining your skills and keeping up-to-date with latest in detecting technology.
Detecting
rallies take place up and down the UK, usually during the late summer/ early
Autumn when the crops are harvested. Scott from Crawfords MD visited Detectival
- The UK’s largest metal detecting event in summer 2021. Check out the video
below to find out about his experience, and learn more about rallies in this
blog.
Popular detecting rallies in the UK
If you’re new in the metal detecting world, it can be difficult to find out when and where rallies are happening near you. We’ve put together a few of the most popular ones, but you may also find your local detecting club regularly holds smaller rallies. Find your nearest club here.
Detectival
The largest of them all in the UK, Detectival is an annual event that's location changes every year. It usually takes place in early September, and brings together traders, manufacturers and enthusiasts alike to join together over one weekend.
Find out more here: Detectival
Detectorcon
Detectorcon’s first event was held in 2021 by North of the Tyne detecting club in northeast England. Aiming to be held every summer in the North East, it features hundreds of acres ripe for detecting, live evening entertainment and a fully licensed bar.
Find out more here: Detector Con Two 2022 Rally
Rodney Cook Memorial Rally
The Rodney Cook Memorial Rally is an annual detecting event, set up by Gary Cook and friends to celebrate the life of his late father, Rodney Cook. The rally is held each year to raise money for a variety of cancer charities and allow like-minded detectorists to come together to remember Rodney and enjoy a weekend of detecting. It is quite common, for the proceeds of rallies to be donated towards charities.
Find out more here: Rodney Cook Memorial
Top tips for your first metal detecting rally
You’ve
bought your ticket and you’re excited to attend your first rally, but you’re
awash with questions. What should you bring? What should you wear? Here are our
top tips for attending your first rally, and to making sure you get the most
out of it.
What to wear
Sensible shoes: You’re going to be spending a lot of time on your feet this weekend, whether you’re detecting, putting up your tent or enjoying a well-earned drink at the bar in the evening. Be sure to wear sensible shoes that have good grip, ideally ones that are waterproof in case of bad weather.
Something with lots of pockets: Metal detecting involves lots of bits and pieces, whether that’s your finds, your accessories, or a small snack to keep you going! Having trousers that have lots of pockets will help you make sure you don’t lose any of your important possessions, whether that’s a rare coin, a cereal bar or something in between.
Waterproof coat: There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing choices. Have a decent, waterproof coat to hand to make sure you stay warm and dry while you’re detecting.
What to bring
Documentation: Most Detecting Rallies require that
you are a member of a recognised organisation such as The National Council for
Metal Detecting as this demonstrates you are a responsible Detectorist and,
more importantly your membership carries public liability insurance should
anything go wrong. (You should carry your membership card at all times when
metal detecting.)
Tent: Most detecting rallies take place over a number of days and camping pitches will often be included in the ticket price. Bring a good quality tent and anything else to help you sleep comfortably over the few days. You could also bring a motorhome, caravan or converted van for sleeping in, but please check with the organiser of your rally to ensure that these types of vehicles are supported.
Sun cream: Yes, really! If it ends up being uncharacteristically sunny at the rally you attend, you don’t want to ruin your weekend getting sunburned. You may end up spending all day in the blazing hot sunshine, so it’s important to be prepared.
A sense of optimism: Rallies are made to be fun! They are
a wonderful way to get together with other detectorists, make friends and learn
more about history. As metal detectorists we know not every day will be filled
with treasure, but we enjoy the journey anyway.
Ready, steady, go!
Hopefully
now you know more about metal detecting rallies in the UK and what they
involve. Our team at Crawfords love attending rallies, as they are a chance to
meet like-minded people and enjoy the hobby of detecting together.
For those of
you who’ve been to rallies before, are there any we have missed? Also feel free
to tell us about your favourite rallies! Write in the comments below! We hope
to see you at a rally before too long.