EFFORTS to repair the roof of All Saints Church in Great Chalfield have been given a much-needed boost by metal detecting enthusiasts who raised over £1,000 towards the work.

Members from the Trowbridge & District Metal Detecting Club came together with other groups from the south west for the event on October 16 and this week they were able to present the fruits of their labour to Robert Floyd, who lives at Great Chalfield Manor near Melksham and is spearheading the £16,000 project.

Chairman of the group, David Rees, said while slightly unconventional the day proved popular in helping fund the church repairs.

“The event was such a success that we are going to do it again to raise more money for the church,” the 68-year-old said.

“The church is more or less the responsibility of Robert and he has set himself the task of raising the money but he still has a shortfall. By raising £1,000 we have been very helpful to the cause.

“Everyone said it was one of the best events they had been to for a really long time which was great to hear.”

Around 50 people, who are part of groups in the western region of the National Council for Metal Detecting, from all around the south west were able to raise £1034 from the metal-finding mission on a piece of land near Melksham by paying a fee as well as donating at a barbecue.

Mr Rees, who has been metal detecting for over 30 years, said the members discovered a number of items, with early indications showing that they can be traced back to the Elizabeth I period.

“It was probably the first time that the detecting club had properly come together and they all got on really well,” he added.

“It is always a gamble as an organiser because when people don’t find thing it can be annoying for them so to have some great finds come out of this one was great.

“As a club we welcome people to come along and try it out and if they are interested they can come to these sort of events as part of a club.

“I also run a metal detecting course at Marlborough College every summer.”

For more information about metal detecting activities in the area, email David Rees on davidrees55@aol.com