West Country Clegg Network

I'm researching whether military service and metal detecting are connected. Some studies suggest that many veterans enjoy metal detecting.

If you are a metal detectorist, are you currently serving, or have you previously served, in the Armed Forces (Regular or Reserve)?

4 days ago | [YT] | 14

West Country Clegg Network

Which Minelab detector do you own?

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 5

West Country Clegg Network

I got home after a day of metal detecting today and found a letter addressed to me. After opening it, I have to admit it raised a few eyebrows... I was genuinely shocked. It was from General Sir Roly Walker, the Chief of the General Staff of the British Army, and personally signed by him.

For those wondering, General Sir Roly Walker is the head of the British Army (100K soldiers, regular and reserve). Above him is the Chief of the Defence Staff, who is the head of all three Armed Services. Above him is the King, who is Head of the UK Armed Forces. That's why I was so shocked that General Sir Roly Walker had personally signed my letter.

It reads as follows:
11 July 2026

Dear Mr Denney,

As the Head of the British Army, I am writing to you to convey my heartfelt and sincere apology for the unacceptable way in which you were treated during your Army service.

Lord Etherton's report detailing the impact of the historic ban on LGBT+ military personnel lays bare the appalling treatment experienced by members and those perceived to be members of the LGBT+ community. I know that those experiences caused immeasurable pain to our Veterans. I recognise and apologise unreservedly for the impact this treatment caused. The abuse suffered by many during the ban was wholly unacceptable, and categorically opposed the Army's Values and Standards. While I understand that my apology cannot erase the unjust treatment that you received, I hope it offers reassurance that our culture, although not without fault, has significantly improved and that it emphasises the value that I place in the contribution made by our LGBT+ soldiers and officers, whether serving or Veterans.

I would like to take this opportunity to offer you my personal thanks for the contribution that you made as a soldier in the Royal Corps of Transport, the Royal Artillery, the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia) and the Royal Logistic Corps in the service of our nation. Like all those in uniform then and today, you were ready to make the ultimate sacrifice of laying down your life for your country. That is an extraordinary selfless commitment, and the nation is indebted to you for your unwavering loyalty and bravery. It saddens me deeply that your invaluable efforts were not duly recognised during your time in the Army. In addition to recognising the importance of your military service to our nation, I also want you to know that I place immense value in your membership of our cherished Veteran community today.

I recognise that your experience of serving with the Army has been understandably tainted. I wish to assure you that we are actively working to address and rectify past wrongs through the LGBT Restorative Action Team. My aim is to create an environment where you can again feel a strong sense of belonging and pride as a valued member of our Armed Forces family.

General Sir Roly Walker
Chief of the General Staff

2 weeks ago (edited) | [YT] | 57

West Country Clegg Network

The image only tells part of the story.

If you'd like to read the full article, please see the pinned comment below.

Keep an eye on local newspapers in the coming days.

1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 22

West Country Clegg Network

Yesterday was the first time I met up with people I served with in over 30 years.

I have to admit there was a certain amount of trepidation because I didn't know how they would react when I told them that I'd been discharged from the Army, and the reason why.

As it turned out, they were all absolutely fine about it. It was a great weight off my shoulders and a huge relief.

I'm looking forward to seeing them all again soon.

This is a lovely picture of me and Ian, the Leader of South Gloucestershire Council.

1 month ago | [YT] | 111

West Country Clegg Network

I got my new e-bike today, but I was so keen to get out with it, I ended up not using my checklist and I forgot my video camera.
It's a cargo E-bike. I can get a lot of gear on this bicycle compared to my last one.

1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 33

West Country Clegg Network

🔍GPX 5000 Pulse Induction Coils – Mono vs Double-D

The Minelab GPX 5000 uses two main types of pulse induction coils: Mono and Double-D, each with different strengths in the field.

🟠 Mono Coil

Mono coils use a single winding to both transmit and receive the signal.
They produce a wide, deep detection field, allowing you to pick up targets even slightly off the edge of the coil.

Greater depth potential
Stronger signals on larger or deeper targets
Best in mild or low mineralisation
🔵 Double-D Coil

Double-D coils use two overlapping windings.
They produce a narrow detection blade down the centre, giving more controlled and stable detection.

Better in highly mineralised ground
More stable and smoother operation
More precise target location along the centre line
🎯 In Simple Terms
Mono = wider and deeper detection
Double-D = more stable and precise detection

3 months ago | [YT] | 17

West Country Clegg Network

I thought I would share this podcast Chris has recently recorded with Melvin, a former SAS soldier.

Over the last little while I’ve been helping Chris behind the scenes with a few things on his YouTube channel. Mainly things like improving his thumbnails, tightening up the titles so they attract more clicks, and helping structure the videos so they hold people’s attention for longer.

It’s something I’ve tried to help a few metal detecting channels with in the past as well. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, many detectorists never seem to trust the advice or don’t want to try changing the way they present their videos. That’s a shame really, because small changes to titles, thumbnails, and storytelling can make a huge difference to how a video performs.

Chris has been very open to experimenting with these ideas, and I think that’s starting to show in the way his channel is developing.

This latest podcast with Melvin is a really interesting conversation and well worth a watch if you enjoy hearing real stories from people who have served.
https://youtu.be/LNvnwcFIBNI

4 months ago | [YT] | 4

West Country Clegg Network

Quick update 👋

I’ve been getting early access to a new metal detecting mapping platform called Detector Maps, and there’s a lot more planned than just one or two layers.

The idea is to bring a wide range of data together in one place, including things like:

Modern and historic maps

Farm and land boundaries (so you know which land belongs to which farmer)

LiDAR hillshade and slope analysis

Sophisticated NDVI cropmark mapping, with the ability to merge it directly with terrain and LiDAR data

Historic environment layers such as Roman roads, villas, and other known sites

Find-spot data from schemes like the Portable Antiquities Scheme

Heat maps showing concentrations of artefacts from different periods

National heritage and historic environment records

Not everything is live yet and some of this is still being added, but once it’s all in place I’ll be doing proper field-based videos showing how these layers can be used together in practice.

I currently have early access because I’ve been collaborating with Detector Maps, feeding in real-world detecting experience and site-analysis knowledge to help shape how the system is used in the field.

The launch date is currently pencilled in for the 23rd of January, so I’ll share more details once things go live.

This is shaping up to be a very powerful tool for research and planning before you ever step into a field.

More to come once everything’s ready.

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6 months ago | [YT] | 34

West Country Clegg Network

I helped save someone’s life tonight. Walking home from the pub we found a man, very drunk, lying in a garden. It was just above freezing. If he had been left there all night, he would have died.

My Army training kicked in. I ran back to the pub and hammered on the windows even though it was shut, got help, and between us we managed to get him on his feet. It was a struggle, but we walked him back to his house and made sure he was safe.

7 months ago | [YT] | 78