A metal-detecting group whose members take part in organised digs across the Cotswolds and South Gloucestershire has raised more than £36,000 for charities and community groups.
The Cotswolds Metal Detecting Community (CMDC), formed by Karl Monks in September 2024, marked the fundraising milestone during its latest dig. Emma Fawcett, Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) supporter engagement coordinator for Gloucestershire, visited the event and received a donation of £500.
The group’s fundraising supports organisations including Longfield Community Hospice and GWAAC. Its activities also provide income for landowners who give permission for detecting on their farmland.
How the fundraising digs work
CMDC stages fortnightly, midweek digs at locations across the Cotswolds and South Gloucestershire. Members pay £20 to take part, with the money divided between the landowner and a selected charity.
The group also runs a fundraising card at each dig. Money raised through the card helps cover the club’s fuel, tea, coffee and other expenses, allowing more of the dig income to go towards its charitable work.
Members detect only on farmland where the owner has granted the necessary permission. The group says its conduct has helped it build relationships with farmers and landowners and secure future permissions.
“Donations from community groups like this are what keep us flying. They’re the reason that we can keep being there for people in our community when they need us on their worst day,”
Ms Fawcett said GWAAC’s operating costs meant regular support from groups across the region was important. She said: “To keep our operation going over a year costs £4 million, which sounds scary. What we really need is lots of people to understand that we need support across the region and then we’re not having to look for big amounts from anyone. All the groups like this that help us make so much difference to our ability, not just in terms of the money they provide, but also in terms of the publicity.”
Detectorists auction signed shirts for hospice
The CMDC has also raised money through a link with the BBC series Detectorists. Mackenzie Crook, the programme’s writer and star, signed three CMDC T-shirts, which were sold through Wotton Auction Rooms in Wotton-under-Edge.
The three auctions raised £1,380 for Longfield Community Hospice.
Monks said interest in metal detecting had increased sharply since Detectorists appeared on television. He said the club helped people take part while ensuring they obtained the correct permissions to search on private land.
“We don’t have a membership fee, but people pay to come on a dig and that money gets split between the landowner and the chosen charity of the day.”
He described the digs as social gatherings as well as fundraising events, saying members knew one another and that the club’s continued work depended on their loyalty.
Roman coins remain with finds officer
The group follows the National Council for Metal Detecting’s code of conduct. Two gold Roman coins found during its activities are currently with Gloucestershire’s Finds Liaison Officer, who will decide whether they meet the definition of treasure.
CMDC says its plans are to continue working with farmers and landowners to support community causes. Its digs were booked up until Christmas at the time of the report, and the group was accepting bookings for the following year.
Landowners who may be able to host a dig can contact Karl Monks at [email protected].