"post was to support the idea that there is nothing to be embarrassed about, owning or using a metal detector."

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply otherwise. What I would assert though is that most people that use them have much to be ashamed of as most of them don't report most of what they find.

In addition, even if one uses one "responsibly" as officially defined it's not necessarily a good thing. Most stuff is best left alone unless in danger according to CBA and the voluntary recording system is a poor substitute for that, a dishonourable compromise adopted by Britain instead of legislating to make Best Practice compulsory, and disapproved of elsewhere.

The official Code of Practice is pretty pernicious in other ways too as it lends an air of responsibility to anyone who cares to claim they are responsible, and that allows massive crooks to talk their way onto fields. In addition it tells farmers that their interest is best served by signing a Finds Agreement - and doesn't explain to them that the finds are already entirely THEIRS (or the State's) so finds agreements are entirely against their interest.