UK DETECTOR NET Forum

For the benefit of members from the OGM on 24.06.12;

1:There is to be a Parliamentary Debate concerning "Recreational Access to the Countrside" as such the NCMD(as members of SARA, Sport & Recreational Alliance) have been invited to,and have submitted, a briefing note as to what restricts members from accessing the countryside in pursuit of their hobby and to make recommendations thereon.
Top of the list; Contaminated Green Waste. The summary line of the three paragraphs is as follows;

"The dumping of such material is nothing short of legalised fly tipping and is unacceptable. It has to be stopped.

2:An NCMD "Green Waste" sub-commitee has been set up to expand the current dossier of information that can be presented at all Parliamentary & associated working groups the NCMD take part in. Information can be sent by members through clubs via their regional reps, the NCMD forum or any committee members. We are looking for pictures & locations (to postcode only!).
It was also discussed that any member of the public can report incidences of CGW (spread or piled for future use) to the Environment Agency who are obliged to act on such reports. It is recommended that detectorists,where appropriate, discuss CGW contents with their farmers first rather than risk alienating the very people whose help we need to overcome this problem.

There will be more to follow in Digging Deep & the hobby press to support & progress the excellent work being done by a number of individuals.

Excellent News John. It is so nice to hear that the NCMD are getting even more involved.

Great news. I think this is the right way to go rather than trying as individuals. There is always a better chance
as a group," the bigger the better" than single voices trying to put their points over. It would be good if we could get some high profile person or personality on our side as this would add some clout to the cause .
As you say it has to be done in a way that does not put farmers in a bad light, the last thing we would want to do
would be to get their backs up and kill the goose that lay the golden eggs.

We have to remember though lads, that just because the NCMD are getting even more active, that they need all our help combined. It doesn't just mean, we leave it to them.

One of the Scottish reps also suggested an easier (more achievable!) target for the few that are bothering about this is that of the 650 MP`s.......... no excuse not to in my humble. Simple e-mail raising YOUR concerns. Eventually it will land in the right Inbox and somebody will take notice. Give up and nothing but the worse will happen.