Portable Antiquities seeking in the UK

In a thought-provoking post about a recent metal detecting rally our friends Heritage Action comments that the venue of the rally "totally flouts the official Code of Practice for Responsible Detecting and the Guidance on Metal-detecting Rallies which requires activity to be confined to disturbed ground that has been ploughed within the last five years" and asks whether "the locals understand why the organisers say this: “Only finds that are subject to treasure trove are to be divided fifty/fifty with the land owner”?". Good points made here. Please read it.

This article was also brought to my attention:

"Demand for metal detectors has soared since Anglo-Saxon treasure worth £3.3million was unearthed last year. Tesco are selling thousands of the devices since treasure-hunter Terry Herbert found the hoard in a field near his Staffordshire home last July. The supermarket giant decided to stock a limited number of detectors for the first time last month and they have become one of their best-selling items. Spokesman Matt Finch said: "The find really captured the public's imagination. "We know if we could sell one for £10 as a trial it might prove popular as an unusual present but we didn't expect such a high demand. "We're now looking into extending the range."

Hmm, hands up those who think this is good news for Britain's buried archaeological heritage...