Latest news with #RichardBrock
The Guardian
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
The Guardian view on metal detecting: hobbyists as well as experts can play a part in unearthing the past
The discovery of two swords at a dig in Gloucestershire has fuelled speculation that a Roman villa may once have stood there, at a period in the second or third century AD when Saxons were making inroads in the region. Experts think that the blades may even have been deliberately hidden – but not deep enough to conceal them from a novice metal detectorist, Glenn Manning. Next month, the public will get a chance to see the weapons when they go on display at the Corinium museum in Cirencester, to which they have been given. The items join a growing list of striking finds by hobbyists. These include a gold nugget found in the Shropshire Hills by Richard Brock, who located it with the help of an old machine that was 'only half working'. Another newcomer dug up a gold necklace bearing the initials of Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon, which is now in the British Museum. There are an estimated 20,000 metal detectorists in Britain, with at least two factors having contributed to the activity's increased popularity over the last decade. One was the pandemic and the nudge it gave to some people to find a new way to spend leisure time. The other was the Bafta-winning BBC television comedy Detectorists, which ran for three series starting in 2014 and returned for a Christmas special in 2022. Written by Mackenzie Crook, this was a story about the hidden depths of male friendship as well as the Essex farmland where they did their detecting. While archaeology had been on TV before, in programmes such as Time Team, metal detecting was an unexpected focus for a popular drama. There was probably also something in the zeitgeist, since mudlarking on the Thames saw a boom during the same period – going from the obscure pastime of aficionados to something much more mainstream. Like metal detectorists, whose focus on precious objects sometimes comes into sharp conflict with the scholarly priorities and painstaking processes of archaeologists, mudlarks (who sometimes use metal detectors along with other techniques) need authorisation to go on their scavenging hunts. From just 200 permits sought in 2018-19 from the Port of London authority, the total rose to 5,000 three years later. One result of this upsurge in interest is a new exhibition of 350 mudlarked objects. Secrets of the Thames includes medieval carvings and Victorian forgeries, and opened at the London Museum last week. Not all metal detecting is focused on the distant past. A 5,000-strong network of volunteers, the National Ring Recovery Service, helps living people find lost items. While this altruistic project is described by its founder, Morley Howard, as a 'fifth emergency service', the activities and motivations of metal detectorists who hunt for valuable artefacts remain controversial, and some believe that the legal framework is too lax. Archaeological sites have been damaged, and in 2019 two men were jailed for the illegal sale of coins and jewellery known as the Leominster hoard. But deeply regrettable though such losses are, they should not be allowed to overshadow the positive contributions of amateur detectorists, some of whom volunteer on digs led by experts – as Mr Manning did on the day he found the swords. This commitment to scouring the countryside for traces of ancient lives is a testament to an abiding curiosity about the past that is not limited to experts.
The Independent
10-06-2025
- General
- The Independent
King Charles tells veteran to ‘keep drinking whisky' during Lancaster Castle visit
King Charles made a memorable visit to Lancaster Castle on 9 June where he advised 101-year-old veteran Richard Brock to "keep drinking whisky'. The monarch, who remembered Brock from last year's D-Day commemorations in Normandy, engaged in a heartfelt exchange during the reception at the castle. The King also participated in the traditional 'ceremony of keys" outside the historic castle, a custom dating back to Queen Victoria in 1851 and last observed by Queen Elizabeth II in 2015. While managing his cancer treatment, Charles continued his royal duties, also visiting local businesses and the newly created Whitewell Coronation Woodland Garden in the Forest of Bowland.
Telegraph
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
King reveals favourite snack
The King revealed his penchant for an unusual choice of snack during his first official visit to Lancashire as monarch. He also advised a 'fantastic' 101-year-old veteran to 'keep drinking the whisky' and chatted to locals about varied subjects from local wool to the NHS. King Charles told Gillian Hale, from the local Butlers' Farmhouse Cheeses, that he was partial to sheep's cheese on a digestive biscuit. Ms Hale said afterwards: 'We're going to send some to him later in a goody bag. He was so gracious.' The King received a rapturous welcome on arrival at the historic Lancaster Castle, where schoolchildren lined his route, a military band played and crowds who had gathered from 5am with flasks of tea waved Union flags. He met businesses displaying wares from cheese to navigation systems before being gifted a tie and some gloves for the Queen from Northern Yarn. Business owner Kate Makin said: 'He was really interested in the regenerative farming and the local wools we use.' The King went on to a reception celebrating the county, where guests included representatives from charities, a hospice and the Lancaster Literature Festival, as well as war veteran Richard Brock, 101, who served in the D-Day landings. After asking Mr Brock's age, the King said: 'You are fantastic' before adding: 'Keep drinking the whisky.' Mr Brock, who served with the East Lancashire Regiment, said afterwards: 'He just told me I was amazing for my age.' Stephen Atkinson, the newly elected Reform UK leader of Lancashire county council, chatted to the King about his new role. Mr Atkinson said: 'He asked about my business and how I'm managing now, whether my job is full time.' A Fijian choir formed from the First Battalion of The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment – comprised of serving Fijian Kingsmen, veterans and their family members – performed for the King, who told them he was sad not to have been able to visit the country last year. He said: 'They wouldn't let me go, I was desperate to go there.' The King had been due to travel to Fiji as part of a longer tour of Australia and Samoa last autumn but the trip was curtailed following his cancer diagnosis. Among those who waited for hours to meet the King were friends Joan Hardcastle, 103, and Barbara Graham, 93, who were joined by staff and two other residents from Laurel Bank Care Home. Mrs Hardcastle held a framed photograph of the then Prince Charles presenting her with her MBE for voluntary services 40 years ago. She said: 'I've seen him several times since. He was fine when I met him, very chatty.' Care home manager Lyndsay Scott said: 'It was Barbara's idea to come. We got here at 9am, we've had flasks of tea and croissants.' Mrs Hardcastle got the chance to shake the King's hand as he left the castle, insisting he had not changed. Meanwhile, Donna Simpson, 59, was in tears after meeting the King. She asked him to pass a message to the Prince of Wales, who she met in Manchester around eight years ago when her daughter Rachel, now 25, was being treated for cancer. She said: 'We met William just after she had a bone marrow transplant. 'She is a veterinary nurse now. She has beaten the odds and I wanted them to know. 'Charles said thank you and he would let them know. I just can't believe that.' The King, who is Duke of Lancaster also took part in a short Ceremony of the Keys – a tradition that dates back to 1851 when the keys to the castle were first presented to Queen Victoria.
Sky News
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
King greets 'amazing' D-Day veteran - and tells him 'keep drinking the whisky'
The King called a 101-year-old D-Day veteran "amazing" in his latest public appearance - and told him to "keep drinking the whisky". The monarch attended a reception at Lancaster Castle on Monday, where he met Richard Brock and remembered him from a visit to Normandy last May for the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. After asking about the veteran's age, the King said "you are fantastic", and told him as he left: "Keep drinking the whisky." Mr Brock, who served with the East Lancashire Regiment, said the King "just told me I was amazing for my age", while his son Tony Brock, who attended the reception with him, added: "He mentioned a nip of whisky and said to keep taking it." The King took part in a ceremony of keys outside the castle, a tradition which dates back to 1851 when the keys were presented to Queen Victoria and in which Queen Elizabeth II participated in 2015. Charles had arrived at the castle just before 11am to a crowd of well-wishers, and some anti-monarchy protesters who could be heard chanting "not my king" as he left his vehicle. The republican group held a yellow banner which said "abolish the Monarchy" as well as signs saying "ditch the Duchies". Inside the grounds of the castle, which was a prison until 2011, the monarch spoke to soldiers on guard, school children and local business owners who were showcasing their work. He told Gillian Hale, from Butlers' Farmhouse Cheeses, of his love for cheese, particularly sheep's cheese on a digestive biscuit. He smelled some of the cheeses the businesswoman had on display but did not taste any. Kate Makin, of Northern Yarn, who gave him a neck tie and some gloves for the Queen, said: "He was really interested in the regenerative farming and the local wools we use." Another who attended was Lancashire County Council leader Stephen Atkinson, who was elected last month when Reform UK took control of the authority. Mr Atkinson said the King asked about his business and how he was managing, since he took on the role of local authority leader. As he left the castle, the King greeted more wellwishers waiting outside including Joan Hardcastle, 103, and Barbara Graham, 93, who had come with staff and two other residents from Laurel Bank Care Home. Mrs Hardcastle held a framed photograph of Charles presenting her with her MBE for voluntary services 40 years ago. She got to shake the King's hand as he left the castle and said afterwards he had not changed. She said: "I've seen him several times since. He was fine when I met him, very chatty." Lyndsay Scott, a care home manager, said: "It was Barbara's idea to come. We got here at 9am, we've had flasks of tea and croissants." It comes after the King, who has been undergoing treatment for cancer, said during a visit to Canada last month that the Commonwealth country would remain "strong and free", as he became only the second monarch after his mother Queen Elizabeth II to set out the Canadian government's legislative agenda.
The Independent
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
King Charles praises D-Day veteran at Lancaster royal visit
King Charles III visited Lancashire and met Richard Brock, a 101-year-old D-Day veteran, whom he lauded as "amazing" and humorously advised to "keep drinking the whisky." The King recognised Mr Brock from a previous encounter in Normandy last year. Charles participated in a ceremony of keys outside Lancaster castle, a tradition dating back to 1851. His arrival was met with both enthusiastic supporters waving Union flags and anti-monarchy protesters chanting "Not my king." During his visit, the King met with local business owners, expressing his love for cheese and receiving gifts, including a neck tie and gloves for the Queen. A Fijian choir from The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment performed for the King, who expressed his regret at not being able to visit Fiji last year.
