News
Metal detectorist finds hundreds of years old gold treasure in farmer’s field
The treasure is believed to be from the Anglo-Saxon period
A metal detectorist came across a squashed piece of gold jewellery in a field in Cumbria, which has been found to be treasure which is hundreds of years old.
Jacob Purdie from Lancaster was out metal detecting in a field in Burton-in-Kendal last year when he came across the discovery.
He found a squashed filigree gold pin head along with a quarter noble – a hammered gold coin.
Single gold coins are not classed as treasure so Mr Purdie offered the landowner half the value of the coin and declared the pin head to be determined whether it qualifies as treasure.
On what it was like to first come across the valuable piece of history, Mr Purdie told Proper Manchester: “I was in a lot of shock when I eventually realised what it could be.
“At first I thought it was just foil but when I saw the decoration on the object I knew immediately it was something of historical significance.”
Mr Purdie declared the object the very same day he found it. The pin head is believed to date back to the Anglo-Saxon period and because it is a piece of gold and more than 300 years old, it qualifies as treasure under the Treasure Act of 1996.
About how he began metal detecting as a hobby, Mr Purdie said: “I started metal detecting after I learnt my friend was into the hobby. I have always been obsessed with history, so it was like magnet and steel when I discovered it myself.”
He often films his finds and documents his metal detecting on his YouTube channel, Jake Detects. He continued: “I have been obsessed with the hobby ever since. I just love the outdoors and mixed with a bit of treasure hunting, it really is the best hobby in the world.
“It’s good for the mind and soul being outside and if you come across anything of historical significance then it makes it all the better.
“But even rainy days where I don’t come across anything are enjoyable nonetheless.”
The Treasure Valuation Committee is currently considering the find to determine a valuation for it. Museums have also been alerted of the find in case they would like to purchase it to put on display.
If you make a find you suspect to be a piece of treasure, Mr Purdie says: “So, to declare an object the first instance is to notify the landowner of potentially something significant as it is their land and they deserve to know first.
“But in very close second you must contact the local Finds Liaison Officer and they will issue you an instruction of what to do next. I then handed it over to the FLO and she started the treasure process.
“It went to the County Coroner and they deemed it to be treasure as it is more than 300 years old and made from a precious metal.”
Mr Purdie added: “It’s a fantastic hobby, but it’s important to learn the rules first. I.e getting permission from the landowner and then declaring anything you find to the FLO to record.
“Recording history is the primary goal for me. I think it’s really important to record artefacts so we gather an understanding of who lived before and what their world was like back then.”
You can keep up to date with Mr Purdie’s finds on YouTube, HERE.
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News
Oasis announce huge reunion tour as Liam and Noel Gallagher ‘make peace’
The news we’ve all been waiting for!
After years of will-they-won’t-they speculation, Oasis are officially BACK together for a reunion tour.
The Gallagher brothers have put aside their differences in the name of music, making thousands of fans extremely happy in the process.
The band teased the news on their socials over the weekend, posting a video on Sunday morning with today’s date (Tuesday, August 27th) and the time 8am.
And now shows have been announced for multiple dates in the UK and Ireland, with tickets going live this Saturday, August 31st.
The legendary Mancunian rockers will take to the stage next summer, with gigs in Cardiff, London, Edinburgh, Dublin and, of course, Manchester.
15 years after splitting, the band confirmed they would be back for 14 shows, saying: “The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised”.
The gigs will be Oasis’s ‘only shows in Europe next year’, with tickets on sale this Saturday at 8am in Ireland and 9am in the UK.
The Oasis 2025 tour dates in full:
July
4th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
5th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
11th – Manchester, Heaton Park
12th – Manchester, Heaton Park
19th – Manchester, Heaton Park
20th – Manchester, Heaton Park
25th – London, Wembley Stadium
26th – London, Wembley Stadium
August
2nd – London, Wembley Stadium
3rd – London, Wembley Stadium
8th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
9th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
16th – Dublin, Croke Park
17th – Dublin, Croke Park
You can grab your tickets HERE.
News
Stagecoach hiring over 100 new bus drivers for Bee Network with £31k salaries
Fancy a career change?
Stagecoach Manchester is hiring over 100 new bus drivers to work from its Oldham depot, following the second phase of the Bee Network launch in March.
You can apply for a range of roles, from positions with no experience required to fully qualified bus drivers.
Successful applicants will receive full training as part of the job, and trainees will get paid to train. Then after only 12 months’ service at Stagecoach, drivers can expect to earn up to £16 per hour, which equates to £31.6K per year, before overtime.
As well as that, drivers that already hold a PCV licence may be eligible to receive a £1,200 joining bonus.
Stagecoach
There’s also a host of other benefits available to all Stagecoach employees, like 28 days paid holiday, generous pension and free Stagecoach bus travel for successful applicants and a companion.
Rob Jones, Managing Director at Stagecoach Manchester said: “Expanding our offering in Oldham means we’ll be investing more in the economy and supporting our local community, as well as strengthening our workforce.
“Whether you’re looking for a career change or you’re a fully qualified, experienced bus driver, there’s a role for everyone here in Oldham.
“We’re looking for personable and dedicated drivers who are ready to help us build on the success of the Bee Network and connect the people of Oldham and Greater Manchester with the places and people that are important to them.”
Stagecoach
Phil Cornwall, bus driver at Stagecoach Manchester, said: “I’ve been a driver at Stagecoach for 25 years and I couldn’t recommend it more.
“From the perks to the people to the passengers, it really is a great place to work.”
To apply, head to the Stagecoach website HERE.
Two men have now been charged with murder, following the discovery of a human torso in Kersal Dale.
As well as that, more suspected human remains were also discovered this morning, Monday April 29th, in an alleyway close to the railway lines off Worsley Road, Eccles.
This follows earlier discoveries of human remains over the past three weeks, at Kersal Dale, Blackleach Reservoir and Colliery Wood, all in Salford.
Greater Manchester Police
Michal Jaroslaw Polchowski (25/04/1956) and Marcin Majerkiewicz (10/04/1982) both of Worsley Road, Eccles, have been charged with murder.
They are set to appear at Tameside Magistrates Court this afternoon.
While formal identification is still ongoing, the remains found at Kersal Dale are believed to be of a local man in his 60s. The remains found at the other three locations are still to be tested, but police are confident they belong to the same victim.
ACC Sarah Jackson said: “We have had large numbers of officers, staff and specialists working diligently on this investigation over the last three weeks. It has been very much a large, collective effort, with the victim and family at the heart of it from the outset.
“We have specially trained officers deployed to support the family as they come to terms with this tragic news. They are aware of this morning’s further discovery and will continue to be kept up to date with how we are progressing.
“Despite the charges brought today, our work is far from over.
“The scenes we already have established in Bury and Salford will remain in place for much of this week whilst our searches and enquiries continue. Local officers will continue to patrol the impacted areas to provide reassurance.
“We will continue following every line of enquiry to recover and reunite the victim with his family, bringing a dignified end to this terrible scenario.
“I’d like to thank the communities of Salford and beyond for their cooperation throughout this investigation. I know this incident has come as a shock, and the support we’ve had from those in the area is very much appreciated.”
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