Institute of Detectorists

[Steve_JT]

Hi all

Been in communication with my local museum via email regarding some finds and in one of the replies I have been sent a link to the Institute of Detectorists to fill out a questionnaire

Just to be clear, I am not saying people should or should not if they receive similar, I'm just imparting info. It looks like they aren't going away any time soon and being funded by Historic England to go ahead with the idea

the email read

"Please pass on to any detecting colleagues you think might also be interested.

But just ignore this email if you are not! Thank you."


see attachment below

[DaveP]

The survey is asked from the perspective of people already favourably disposed to the AoD (it isn't an Institute but wants to be).

As you say, he doesn't plan to go away anytime soon.

[Blackadder43]

It created serious backlash amongst the detecting community last week (or week before) when it was released
The questions are loaded, in my opinion

I filled it out, but made sure i articulated my feelings and views on each answer in the space provided.
I also did not give an answer on questions that didnt give me an option to reply, these are the very loaded questions
My other concern was the poll is done through a simple google docs thing
I would have thought a serious operation would have used the more secure and unable to be manipulated "survey monkey" poll company

[Steve_JT]

I filled in and sent the one I had too

I left no doubt to my thoughts on the "Institute" in my responses............come to that the person that represents it received both barrels.

He is one of those sort of people with the skin of an elephant , worryingly he has the ear of the archaeology community and Historic England and models the benchmark on himself, a self proclaimed expert that will bring harm to the hobby IMHO

If he told me it was raining I would look out of the window to check to see if it was

Regards Steve

[Pete E]

I filled in and sent the one I had too

I left no doubt to my thoughts on the "Institute" in my responses............come to that the person that represents it received both barrels.

He is one of those sort of people with the skin of an elephant , worryingly he has the ear of the archaeology community and Historic England and models the benchmark on himself, a self proclaimed expert that will bring harm to the hobby IMHO

If he told me it was raining I would look out of the window to check to see if it was

Regards Steve

In light of the massive Government borrowing to pay for the pandemic, with any luck their funding will be cut and it will wither away.....

[Steve RC]

So the PAS are promoting the Institute now !!!! One would hope that they were impartial on this matter, but i understand that they are one of the stakeholders. However they would have to be otherwise it would look odd. Lashing their colours to that particular mast may well have repercussions.

The questionnaire is one designed for the already supportive of the Institute and does not allow a proper discussion of various points raised and questions asked. They will no doubt trumpet it as a success whatever answers they get. That is what these people do.

As an aside i see that Time Team is making a comeback. It is to be privately funded and the first episode looks at the Roman Villa at Broughton Castle which just happens to be the one that Keith Wescott "discovered" and he has promoted it ever since. Coincidence or design ?

[figgis]

Hmm. I've made my thoughts on this plain a while ago (elsewhere - the Hub hadn't been born at the time). In my opinion we should ignore the high-falutin' ideals - it's a business punt, no more, no less. But a potentially dangerous one as it could end up affecting the hobby very much to the detriment of the average detectorist.

That the questions in the "survey" are loaded should come as no surprise. I've avoided it.

[Oxgirl]

If you want to really know what is going on then make a brew and read this article https://detectingfinds.co.uk/

[Steve RC]

Yes it make interesting reading and a good analysis of some of the goings on. The idea of a Intitute Passport was always on the cards considering the less than supportive of metal detecting archaeological advisors in the AoD.

This for one of them will be the realisation of a long held ambition to enforce archaeological strictures on hobby metal detecting whilst their own profession continues to destroy more of the casual loss archaeological history of the Nation, on a daily basis than a Genghis Khan horde of detectorists could ever do. Still if you can shift the perceived blame onto detectorists then no need to consider the very real problems in your own back yard.

[Easylife]

Just done the survey - let's just say that it wasn't very favourable!

[Jamesey1981]

I did his survey too, there's no way he's going to be able to show the results of it to anyone going by the comments I've seen.

Genuinely can't stand the bloke behind it, I'd rather have a pint with the well known English archaeologist that lives in Poland.

[Jamesey1981]

If you want to really know what is going on then make a brew and read this article https://detectingfinds.co.uk/

I was just on my way to post this, then I remembered that you probably made the post I saw it on!

We'll see what happens on that other un named forum, as one of the moderators is involved in this project.

[Pete E]

Could anybody send me a link for the survey please? I think it's something I should be filling in....

[Jamesey1981]

Could anybody send me a link for the survey please? I think it's something I should be filling in....

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIp ... g/viewform

You'll need to ignore most of the actual multiple choice questions as our mate has completely accidentally forgotten to put in any option to disagree, sums him up perfectly.

[Allectus]

"Q7 Is there anything you would like the Institute to do that is not on the list?"

================================================================

A: Yes. FOAD!