Yesterday, a story popped up on the BBC news that probably passed a lot of folk by in the blur of tinsel and turkey that is Christmas. I think this is worth pulling into the light.
Interesting idea. Click on the screenshot to visit the BBC news article.
The plan for a trail is a fine idea, as are tourist attractions featuring the Hoard. It’s nice also to see local chap Brian Stringer get the credit for his idea – and for it to get some leverage – after the recent attempt by others to hijack the concept. Brian has worked hard on this and to see his idea propagated by others without credit was sad.
I’d also like to see the supposed dossier of ‘links between the Staffordshire Hoard and Brownhills’, considering Brownhills didn’t even exist in the period. Brownhills is a new settlement, and any history here would be all related to Ogley Hay. Whilst I support moves to get the travelling display in Walsall (although, given the huge cost, I’d rather we used the money for more grassroots stuff at the moment), any idea that the find was linked in some way to what we now consider to be Brownhills is fantasy.
I’m interested too, in the light of finding another 90 pieces of the loot, in just who declared the site ‘sterile’, and if they’ve still got a job. I and many other folk are now concerned about nighthawks and other chancers turning their attentions here.
Finds.org – the Portable Antiquities Scheme website – stated in 2010:
Is the site protected?
The site has been thoroughly examined using specialist equipment provided by the Home Office and with support from the police’s Tactical Planning Unit, Staffordshire county council and Birmingham Archaeology. The site is now considered sterile, meaning experts are satisfied every item able to be recovered from the immediate area has now been found; it is now being monitored by the police.
Probably not the best folk to call if you lose something important…
This seems like an excellent project, and as ever I welcome comment. My congratulations to Brian Stringer for his hard work.