VIDEO and INTERVIEW: Morecambe metal detectorist's emotional reaction to 'find of a lifetime'

Thursday, 6 April 2023 16:54

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

Metal detectorist Matthew Hepworth has uncovered the 'find of a lifetime'

A Morecambe metal detectorist has uncovered what he described as "the find of a lifetime" in a Lancaster field.

Matthew Hepworth stumbled across a gold 15th century ring depicting the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus.

Matthew said the medieval ring would be classed as a treasure, and could be worth thousands and be of national significance.

The dad-of-two from Bare said he "couldn't think clearly and was shaking" when he discovered the ring while out metal detecting on March 27.

The discovery has been reported to the City Museum in Lancaster and the ring will now be examined to determine its value.

Matthew, who works as a charge nurse on the respiratory ward at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary, has been metal detecting as a hobby for 32 years.

LISTEN to our interview with Matthew Hepworth about his find

"I'm overjoyed, it's the find of a lifetime for me," he said.

"It's good for the area and for the nation as a whole.

"It's a gold 15th century iconographic ladies' ring, depicting the Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus."

WATCH the moment Matthew discovered the ring and his emotional reaction.

"The design is amazing, it's a good piece of medieval artwork," he said.

"It does classify as treasure, being over 300 years of age and of precious metal.

"I've informed the Lancaster Museum finds liaison officer who will inform the Coroner, and the landowner is aware.

"It's generating a lot of interest."

"I don't do it for financial gain but it will be a value of well into thousands of pounds, I assume," he said.

"There will be a future treasure inquest with the Coroner and if the museum wishes to acquire the ring, the proceeds will be divided 50-50 between myself and the landowner. I am allowed to get private valuations done too.

"When I looked down in the soil in the field, I could see the edge of a ring sticking through the soil. I presumed it was a 17th century gold posey ring. Then when I pulled it out, I could see the design on the bezel.

"I couldn't think clearly. I was shaking. It was a special moment for me."

Matthew, 48, believes the owner of the ring must have been "somebody of nobility".

"There are a lot of questions following this find," he said.

"It must have been a sad day for that person who lost it as the time."

Matthew, who is part of Lune Valley Metal Detecting Club, has previously found many other items of historical significance.

They include a Bronze Age burial site he found with his friend David Kierzek, as well as a local Viking hacksilver hoard and a Roman silver coin hoard.

He has also found a few lost wedding rings and been delighted to be able to return them to their owners!

"It's been a brilliant pastime for me, I really enjoy the hobby," he said.

"You go out with an open mind, you never know what you're going to find."

We have contacted the local museums service for comment.