Lockdown and detecting - guidance
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Easylife
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And just what a great video it was.HolzHammer wrote: ↑Thu Jan 07, 2021 1:52 pm Just come back from my foray.... which i videoed - out later on YOUTUBE!
Good things come to those who wait.
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DaveP
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I watched the video. All I can say is that if you choose to break the law that's up to you. But why post it on Youtube for the world to see. It says nothing positive for the detecting community; at best will be ignored and at worst will just show we don't care. And to use the puppy as an excuse to detect .........
I was reluctant to post in this section but after reading the thread & I`ve read pretty much all of these posts on this thread and It is obvious to me that some people are STILL choosing to bend the Rules of the Lock down to their own way of interpreting it ,so they can find any excuse to go detecting.
I agree with Dave P . What any individual decides upon is their business but keep your business to yourselves and don`t broadcast it on Social media ,Youtube or whatever you want to broadcast it on, because ultimately all you succeed in doing is giving two fingers up to the Government advice/laws whatever its described as and show contempt for government instructions.
I cannot say what anyone else can do or not do, but what I can say is my opinion of their actions.
We all love detecting but on occasion you just HAVE TO do the correct thing and follow the Government instructions because if not for your sake ,for someone else's out there who are vulnerable through ill health reasons that might catch Covid19 through others irresponsible contemptable behaviour . So yes I am backing DaveP`s take on this matter.
I agree with Dave P . What any individual decides upon is their business but keep your business to yourselves and don`t broadcast it on Social media ,Youtube or whatever you want to broadcast it on, because ultimately all you succeed in doing is giving two fingers up to the Government advice/laws whatever its described as and show contempt for government instructions.
I cannot say what anyone else can do or not do, but what I can say is my opinion of their actions.
We all love detecting but on occasion you just HAVE TO do the correct thing and follow the Government instructions because if not for your sake ,for someone else's out there who are vulnerable through ill health reasons that might catch Covid19 through others irresponsible contemptable behaviour . So yes I am backing DaveP`s take on this matter.
Things aint cooking in my kitchen
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Blackadder43
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Just to be clear
In Alexanders video his machine was not switched on nor being used as a detector.
We agree though at The Hub that we dont want to see stuff like that posted here from now on, nor do we want anyone telling us they have been out or intend to go out.
We strongly advise people to follow the rules as laid out at the time, no matter how silly anyone thinks they are.
Its too late to delete the comments now
For the record though, that field is next to his home, so is within walking distance, so complies with exercise and dog walking rules.
Lets not all turn on each other though.....These are tough times for all of us.
In Alexanders video his machine was not switched on nor being used as a detector.
We agree though at The Hub that we dont want to see stuff like that posted here from now on, nor do we want anyone telling us they have been out or intend to go out.
We strongly advise people to follow the rules as laid out at the time, no matter how silly anyone thinks they are.
Its too late to delete the comments now
For the record though, that field is next to his home, so is within walking distance, so complies with exercise and dog walking rules.
Lets not all turn on each other though.....These are tough times for all of us.
LETTER TO THE MINISTER
Following the decision to allow the sport of angling during the latest lockdown the NCMD have made a similar appeal to allow detecting to Caroline Dinenage MP, the Minister of State for the Department of Culture Media and Sport. This was emailed yesterday, the 7th January 2021.
We are very conscious that there is a fine line we must tread right now between the very real risks to public health from covid 19 and defending our hobby from unfair restrictions. We have weighed up the benefits our hobby provides to physical and mental health with the risk of transmission from coronavirus and are comfortable that our ongoing appeals to allow detecting as individuals or household groups on private land with minimum travel are both reasonable and proportionate.
This letter is the latest in an ongoing dialogue with the Minister about the restrictions imposed on detecting on private land during lockdowns and, more recently, in Tier 4 areas in England. We await a response from the Minister with interest.
The content of the letter we emailed is detailed below. It can also be viewed as a PDF on our website.
Caroline Dinenage MP
Minister of State DCMS
100 Parliament Street
London
SW1A 2BQ
7th January 2021
Dear Ms Dinenage,
I am writing to you on behalf of the National Council for Metal Detecting (NCMD) to seek further advice in the light of the latest covid 19 lockdown restrictions, and in particular whether metal detecting can be officially recognised as a form of exercise which can be legitimately undertaken at this difficult time.
The NCMD fully appreciates the seriousness of the current situation and is fully supportive of the latest general lockdown measures that have been introduced. We were pleased that during the last lockdown, the Government agreed to permit individual outdoor recreation to continue so that those who were initially restricted in the first lockdown could once again participate in individual, socially distanced outdoor recreational activities such as metal detecting.
Currently, the Government’s regulations stipulate that under the restrictions on ‘leisure and recreation’ no metal detecting is allowed outside the boundaries of one’s own garden. The NCMD has over 20,000 members across the UK and there is understandably considerable frustration that there is currently a blanket ban on metal detecting outwith one’s own garden ground whilst a leisure activity such as angling has recently been officially recognised by the Government as a permitted form of exercise, viz:
“fishing is allowed as exercise so long as participants adhere to the rules on staying local, gathering limits, social distancing and limiting the time spent outdoors”
This has also been confirmed by DEFRA:
“Cabinet Office have now officially confirmed that angling / fishing (incl. sea fishing off private boats, water sports) can be considered exercise and are hence permitted.”
(Source: The Angling Trust 7th January 2021)
Whilst the NCMD has no issues with angling being classified as an approved form of exercise, we would submit that by its nature, it is a sedentary pursuit compared with metal detecting which involves almost continuous walking for a period of several hours on fields or beaches.
I would therefore be grateful if you could consider metal detecting in exact same fashion to angling, as my Executive Officers colleagues and I are unanimous in our view that metal detecting contributes not only to physical health but also, importantly, to mental wellbeing. We have a number of examples of the latter within our current membership e.g., ex military personnel who suffer from PTSD and who find that metal detecting is highly beneficial in coping with their condition.
The NCMD sees metal detecting as part of the solution to physical and mental wellbeing during the covid crisis, not contributing to it. The NCMD also strongly believes that ‘exercise’ should not simply be limited to the previous definition of ‘exercise’ involving high impact, aerobic activities such as walking, running and cycling, a definition which frustrated many people during the first lockdown as they felt that they were being left without the means to maintain an active lifestyle.
In order for metal detecting to be permitted at this time, the Government would need to relax its current ban on metal detecting on private land. In your letter to me of 23rd December 2020 (attached) you stated:
‘’I understand that the new regulations do permit metal detecting on private land, although you must follow the limits on gathering with other people for the tier they are in. It is for individuals to ensure that their activities are allowed under the legislation, and if they are in any doubt they should take legal advice.’’
Metal detecting is almost without exception, an activity that takes place on private land and the NCMD would therefore wish to see the current blanket restriction lifted as a matter of priority.
It goes without saying that if metal detecting was to be confirmed as permitted exercise, it is accepted that it would be subject to the same strict regulations that applied previously regarding numbers, social distancing and hygiene. We are not looking for permission to be granted for large numbers of detectorists to congregate – quite the opposite.
Metal detecting is a largely solitary pursuit and by its nature, it automatically provides social distancing as everyone detects solo, keeping well away from anyone else. It is carried out on farm fields, well away from the public and there is no risk interaction with anyone outwith the detecting group.
Finally, you will no doubt be aware that metal detecting is currently permitted within the three devolved administrations of the UK, subject of course to their own government regulations/restrictions. If you could agree to permit a continuation of metal detecting on private land as in 2020, this would therefore bring the Westminster Government’s position on metal detecting into line with the other three nations.
I hope that you will consider this request sympathetically and I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Alastair Hacket, President, National Council for Metal Detecting (NCMD)
Following the decision to allow the sport of angling during the latest lockdown the NCMD have made a similar appeal to allow detecting to Caroline Dinenage MP, the Minister of State for the Department of Culture Media and Sport. This was emailed yesterday, the 7th January 2021.
We are very conscious that there is a fine line we must tread right now between the very real risks to public health from covid 19 and defending our hobby from unfair restrictions. We have weighed up the benefits our hobby provides to physical and mental health with the risk of transmission from coronavirus and are comfortable that our ongoing appeals to allow detecting as individuals or household groups on private land with minimum travel are both reasonable and proportionate.
This letter is the latest in an ongoing dialogue with the Minister about the restrictions imposed on detecting on private land during lockdowns and, more recently, in Tier 4 areas in England. We await a response from the Minister with interest.
The content of the letter we emailed is detailed below. It can also be viewed as a PDF on our website.
Caroline Dinenage MP
Minister of State DCMS
100 Parliament Street
London
SW1A 2BQ
7th January 2021
Dear Ms Dinenage,
I am writing to you on behalf of the National Council for Metal Detecting (NCMD) to seek further advice in the light of the latest covid 19 lockdown restrictions, and in particular whether metal detecting can be officially recognised as a form of exercise which can be legitimately undertaken at this difficult time.
The NCMD fully appreciates the seriousness of the current situation and is fully supportive of the latest general lockdown measures that have been introduced. We were pleased that during the last lockdown, the Government agreed to permit individual outdoor recreation to continue so that those who were initially restricted in the first lockdown could once again participate in individual, socially distanced outdoor recreational activities such as metal detecting.
Currently, the Government’s regulations stipulate that under the restrictions on ‘leisure and recreation’ no metal detecting is allowed outside the boundaries of one’s own garden. The NCMD has over 20,000 members across the UK and there is understandably considerable frustration that there is currently a blanket ban on metal detecting outwith one’s own garden ground whilst a leisure activity such as angling has recently been officially recognised by the Government as a permitted form of exercise, viz:
“fishing is allowed as exercise so long as participants adhere to the rules on staying local, gathering limits, social distancing and limiting the time spent outdoors”
This has also been confirmed by DEFRA:
“Cabinet Office have now officially confirmed that angling / fishing (incl. sea fishing off private boats, water sports) can be considered exercise and are hence permitted.”
(Source: The Angling Trust 7th January 2021)
Whilst the NCMD has no issues with angling being classified as an approved form of exercise, we would submit that by its nature, it is a sedentary pursuit compared with metal detecting which involves almost continuous walking for a period of several hours on fields or beaches.
I would therefore be grateful if you could consider metal detecting in exact same fashion to angling, as my Executive Officers colleagues and I are unanimous in our view that metal detecting contributes not only to physical health but also, importantly, to mental wellbeing. We have a number of examples of the latter within our current membership e.g., ex military personnel who suffer from PTSD and who find that metal detecting is highly beneficial in coping with their condition.
The NCMD sees metal detecting as part of the solution to physical and mental wellbeing during the covid crisis, not contributing to it. The NCMD also strongly believes that ‘exercise’ should not simply be limited to the previous definition of ‘exercise’ involving high impact, aerobic activities such as walking, running and cycling, a definition which frustrated many people during the first lockdown as they felt that they were being left without the means to maintain an active lifestyle.
In order for metal detecting to be permitted at this time, the Government would need to relax its current ban on metal detecting on private land. In your letter to me of 23rd December 2020 (attached) you stated:
‘’I understand that the new regulations do permit metal detecting on private land, although you must follow the limits on gathering with other people for the tier they are in. It is for individuals to ensure that their activities are allowed under the legislation, and if they are in any doubt they should take legal advice.’’
Metal detecting is almost without exception, an activity that takes place on private land and the NCMD would therefore wish to see the current blanket restriction lifted as a matter of priority.
It goes without saying that if metal detecting was to be confirmed as permitted exercise, it is accepted that it would be subject to the same strict regulations that applied previously regarding numbers, social distancing and hygiene. We are not looking for permission to be granted for large numbers of detectorists to congregate – quite the opposite.
Metal detecting is a largely solitary pursuit and by its nature, it automatically provides social distancing as everyone detects solo, keeping well away from anyone else. It is carried out on farm fields, well away from the public and there is no risk interaction with anyone outwith the detecting group.
Finally, you will no doubt be aware that metal detecting is currently permitted within the three devolved administrations of the UK, subject of course to their own government regulations/restrictions. If you could agree to permit a continuation of metal detecting on private land as in 2020, this would therefore bring the Westminster Government’s position on metal detecting into line with the other three nations.
I hope that you will consider this request sympathetically and I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Alastair Hacket, President, National Council for Metal Detecting (NCMD)
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Oxgirl
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Hope we all can safely get out soon 
Yes I really don’t like Roman coins, I’m not joking
The Problem the Government will face shortly ,is if they let some people in whatever category is mentioned, be it Fishing, metal detecting, Golf whatever be exempt from not doing it , the rest of a whole host of different hobbies or whatever action will cry "unfairness" in the decision.,and unfairness inevitably causes contempt,which very often leads to disobedience.
The Government, Authorities, call it what you will ,would be best not allowing ANY exceptions then there would be no humming and arhring of discontent . Lock down should work by covering right across the board . But while they allow a bit of this here, and a bit of that there to be allowed to be done ,there will always be the ones who decide they should be included ,and go ahead and include themselves anyway. Hence the rule breakers galore will emerge hence more chances of spreading the Virus .
I`ve been saying since this Pandemic started, that while such a major Pandemic is sweeping the UK. There should be no four individual governments of the UK in operation. The UK should be governed solely by ONE Central Government which would obviously be the Government in Parliament at London, which would stop all this confusion over who does what, in each separate Areas of the UK as is happening now because it just causes confusion especially at borders where a border can run through the middle of a street so you end up with one side of the street allowed to do something the other side of the street cannot do, which is madness.
The Government, Authorities, call it what you will ,would be best not allowing ANY exceptions then there would be no humming and arhring of discontent . Lock down should work by covering right across the board . But while they allow a bit of this here, and a bit of that there to be allowed to be done ,there will always be the ones who decide they should be included ,and go ahead and include themselves anyway. Hence the rule breakers galore will emerge hence more chances of spreading the Virus .
I`ve been saying since this Pandemic started, that while such a major Pandemic is sweeping the UK. There should be no four individual governments of the UK in operation. The UK should be governed solely by ONE Central Government which would obviously be the Government in Parliament at London, which would stop all this confusion over who does what, in each separate Areas of the UK as is happening now because it just causes confusion especially at borders where a border can run through the middle of a street so you end up with one side of the street allowed to do something the other side of the street cannot do, which is madness.
Things aint cooking in my kitchen
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Steve RC
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In the ideal situation there would be no exceptions. However some sports/outdoor pursuits such as fishing have the money to lobby their contacts in Parliament to have the restrictions recinded. Similarly golfers often have influential and well heeled members who can have a word with their contacts in HMG and all is well.
Until those avenues are stopped and HMG put in place firm and defintive guidance there will always be the opportunity to bend the rules and make special pleadings to get exceptions.
Until those avenues are stopped and HMG put in place firm and defintive guidance there will always be the opportunity to bend the rules and make special pleadings to get exceptions.
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Oxgirl
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I completely agree with you Bors. I think arguing for any restrictions to be lifted was dangerous and by allowing one leisure activity to continue they have now created a difficult situation. It is silly to allow fishing, but they have. Once they do that other governing bodies are forced to act too. Arguing one activity is fine whilst not allowing another with a stronger case can only be seen as discriminatory.Bors wrote: ↑Sat Jan 09, 2021 8:33 am The Government, Authorities, call it what you will ,would be best not allowing ANY exceptions then there would be no humming and arhring of discontent . Lock down should work by covering right across the board . But while they allow a bit of this here, and a bit of that there to be allowed to be done ,there will always be the ones who decide they should be included ,and go ahead and include themselves anyway. Hence the rule breakers galore will emerge .
Yes I really don’t like Roman coins, I’m not joking
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TheFenTiger
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Surely the NCMD should now be saying follow government advice and stay at home as today's campaign is advocating? If everyone keeps pushing for relaxation it stops becoming a lockdown and nothing changes. Problem is no governing body wants to be seen not to be doing anything as they are not seen as representing their membership. Still nothing from FID unless they are contacting their members directly?
Dave
There`s an old saying ................The "best Medicine " never tastes good.
I can remember as a 5 or 6 yr old my Mam giving me Indian Brandy to take for whatever was up with me .
Gawd it was VILE but it worked.
I can remember as a 5 or 6 yr old my Mam giving me Indian Brandy to take for whatever was up with me .
Gawd it was VILE but it worked.
Things aint cooking in my kitchen
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Easylife
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Why is it about differentiation between sports or hobbies? Surely public safety should prioritise over revenue streams or politics? What common sense reason is there that you are not free to do anything that involves social distancing and does not increase risk? Should the majority who comply really be punished?
Sure some people will just do whatever they want if any rules are there or not, fines are already in place as a deterrent, increase at each offence and the cops seem to be currently quite active in handing out fines for even the most minor potential Covid breach.
It seems that some would rather everyone was imprisoned in their houses than free to safely go outside. I completely agree that folks should stay at home apart from essential trips which includes exercise. Around here the public parks etc are crammed with people, no masks or distancing, groups of up to 20 from mixed households. Maybe if the cops policed the parks it would reduce the spread? Is that not a bigger problem to be addressed than an innocent solo detectorist in a field? I just don't buy the total ban just in case of large groups of detectorists gathering, do you really think that is going to happen? The public would no doubt report them on sight.
So back to my original comment which sums it up on both sides - Let's just hope that common sense prevails!
Anyway, It's good to be discussing something even if have different views.
Stay safe all.
Sure some people will just do whatever they want if any rules are there or not, fines are already in place as a deterrent, increase at each offence and the cops seem to be currently quite active in handing out fines for even the most minor potential Covid breach.
It seems that some would rather everyone was imprisoned in their houses than free to safely go outside. I completely agree that folks should stay at home apart from essential trips which includes exercise. Around here the public parks etc are crammed with people, no masks or distancing, groups of up to 20 from mixed households. Maybe if the cops policed the parks it would reduce the spread? Is that not a bigger problem to be addressed than an innocent solo detectorist in a field? I just don't buy the total ban just in case of large groups of detectorists gathering, do you really think that is going to happen? The public would no doubt report them on sight.
So back to my original comment which sums it up on both sides - Let's just hope that common sense prevails!
Anyway, It's good to be discussing something even if have different views.
Stay safe all.
Good things come to those who wait.
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Kenleyboy
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I think we can bang on about this subject until we are blue in the face and I think many will agree to disagree .
I like to see a healthy debate and whilst I do not agree with all sentiments , I respect those points of view , there are some very good points for and against . While I believe the rule to be a bit barmy it should be respected however I feel this ban should have forced us all to hang up our detectors for the foreseeable , a nation wide ban and not one rule for just one state . It only serves to create division and controversy and if this is the final hurdle on controlling this pandemic then government should have been united and not have the divisions we still have in place a year on .
The NCMD has made a sterling effort on behalf of the hobby and its members , it has to be seen to be doing something that is what it is a representative body fighting our corner , some will agree while others will not but I personally think the letter will fall on deaf ears .
I like to see a healthy debate and whilst I do not agree with all sentiments , I respect those points of view , there are some very good points for and against . While I believe the rule to be a bit barmy it should be respected however I feel this ban should have forced us all to hang up our detectors for the foreseeable , a nation wide ban and not one rule for just one state . It only serves to create division and controversy and if this is the final hurdle on controlling this pandemic then government should have been united and not have the divisions we still have in place a year on .
The NCMD has made a sterling effort on behalf of the hobby and its members , it has to be seen to be doing something that is what it is a representative body fighting our corner , some will agree while others will not but I personally think the letter will fall on deaf ears .