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                   No one likes rules, - but we must have certain guidelines for members so that we can be seen as 'responsible' detectorists and part of a well organized club.   By joining our club, our members agree to abide by these rules.

Club Rules.  

 1)        The club shall be called ‘The Solent Metal Detecting Club’

2)        The club shall be limited to 50 full members

3)        A minimum of four committee members shall be required for a quorum

4)        Members must be paid up members of FID or NCMD and must hold a current Insurance Card from either of these organizations before taking part in any club activities.

5)        Membership for the year starts on the 1^st of January. Applications for membership renewal, will only be taken during December or  January. Application for club membership from  prospective members will be accepted during December or January, or February up to, or at, the February club meeting.

6)        Yearly club subscription shall be £10.00

7)        Members must abide by the Site Rules and the Country Code as specified in the booklet supplied to all members.

8)        To retain membership, members must attend a minimum of three monthly meetings during the year and sign the signing-in-sheet for that attendance.. Any member who does not attend at least three meeting, or provide an acceptable reason, will be removed form the club members list at the following January and will no longer be considered a member of the club.

9)        Anyone breaking the Club Rules  is liable to be expelled from the club after investigation by the committee. .

10)    Anyone who has been refused membership, or been expelled from the club, will not be reconsidered for membership.

11)    Anyone who allows their FID or NCMD membership to lapse will not be allowed on club digs until that membership is renewed.( Date of membership will be recorded on the club files and members will be reminded that their FID/NCMD membership is due for renewal.)

12)    Membership shall be on a first come first served basis ( no nepotism )

13)    No guests are permitted on club site digs.

14)    In order to allow children to be introduced to the hobby of metal detecting there shall be a free junior Club membership provided the child is a full member of FID or NCMD. and is related to a full Club member.

15)    Junior members are permitted on site digs if, and only if, accompanied by an adult member. The adult member shall be responsible for the activities of that junior member while on the site dig.

16)    A fee of £3.00 shall be paid, by each member, for each attendance at a site dig. This dig attendance payment will be assigned to the Charity Organization(s) designated by the clubs committee for the current year.

17)    Committee members shall be elected at the AGM or the January monthly meeting

18)  Any member who receives a request to the club to search for lost items must inform a member of the committee before assisting in the search.

The club has a code of conduct to be observed when detecting ( the Site Rules ), as well as a the need to adhere to the Country Code.

Site Rules

1.) Membership cards must be carried at all times and shown if requested.

2.) All cars to display a membership car badge.

3.) All cars to be parked carefully to avoid any obstruction of roads, gates, footpaths etc.

5.) In the absence of a site Warden any member may volunteer to take the post.

6.) All rubbish dug must be removed from the site. This is in every member's interest as reburied finds and surface rubbish  is     both unproductive and untidy.

7.) Holes must be filled in and firmed down and smoothed over at all times. This is again in every member's interest as sites may be lost if this procedure is not followed in a conscientious manner.

8.) Set-aside land under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme may not be dug.

9.) Any member bringing a Junior Member will be responsible for them and their behaviour.

10.) All large pieces of metal are to be removed from fields and deposited to the left of the field gate or entrance.

11.) Monies can be paid to site warden on signing in or paid at the next club meeting.

Country Code

Respect the Country Code. Do not leave gates open, damage crops, or frighten animals.

Do not trespass, Ask permission before venturing onto private land, all items found are the landowner's property and should not be removed without their consent in writing unless special arrangements have been made.

Ancient Monuments which are scheduled must not be metal detected unless permission has been given by the Secretary of State for National Heritage. To do so is a criminal offence.

Do not detect on any known archaeological site.

Do not detect on any Nature Reserve without permission.

Do not leave a mess behind you when you have finished digging. It is very simple to extract a coin or other small object from the ground without making a large hole. Replace the turf or soil cleanly.

Abide by the Treasure Act, up to date guidance can be sought from www.culture.gov.uk * or from your local Finds Liaison Officer www.finds.org.uk

Be aware of any restrictions that may be in force by the Countryside Stewardship scheme.

Remember at all times that you are a member of the club and your actions and behaviour while detecting if not kept to a very high standard could bring the hobby into disrepute.

* Go to 'Search this site' at the top right and enter "metal detecting".