Category: Abingdon & Kingston Bagpuize

James Mather shares the story behind the 1,200-year-old journey of his remarkable find.

Imagine finding items more than 1,200 years old and then finding out they are worth £1.35million…

That’s exactly what happened to metal detectorist James Mather when he unearthed the first large Viking hoard to ever have been discovered in Oxfordshire in 2015.

The Watlington Hoard was declared “treasure” by a coroner the following year and a fundraising effort launched to enable Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum to acquire the find.

Thanks to key grants, the museum was able to save the hoard which included about 200 coins, items of jewellery and silver ingots, for the nation. Many of the coins are of great significance, being from Alfred the Great, King of Wessex, 871 to 899.

This month, James will tell all about his hobby of responsible metal detecting and share the stories of some of his more exciting and unusual finds recorded over the past 25 years which include much more than just the Watlington Hoard.

There’ll also be the chance to get “up close and personal” with some of his treasures as he’ll bring along a number of “hands on” finds.

James has given a number of well-received talks and has appeared on local radio and national TV and this talk promises to be a real treat.

• The Abingdon & District National Trust Association talk takes place at Trinity Church Hall, in Conduit Road, Abingdon, at 2.30pm on Tuesday, 22nd January. Everyone is welcome and the group asks for a small donation of £3 for non-members.

Holywell Music & Folk will host the internationally acclaimed star Teddy Thompson on Sunday, 3rd February.

“I love playing the Holywell Music Room,” Teddy tells us. “It’s one of my favourite venues in Britain; wonderful natural acoustics and a real community feeling. It’s an absolute joy.”

Teddy has performed in the world’s best venues – so his praise for Holywell Music Rooms highlights its calibre. He played here, at Europe’s oldest purpose-built music venue, for Holywell Music and Folk’s launch gig last winter, mesmerising the capacity audience with his hauntingly beautiful songs.

Teddy’s folk rock luminary parents Richard and Linda have seen him grow as a solo artist. Forging a career with hard work and original ballads and songs that blend folk and country, no comparisons are made between him and his parents today – talented Teddy found his feet early.

Six albums later he continues to explore and develop, including his instrumental role putting the album Family together, featuring his mum, dad, sister Kamilla, brother Jack and nephew Zak. He can also be found on the other side of the recording studio glass producing for himself and others. He plays bass, drums and guitar and has toured with his good friend Rufus Wainwright, including playing in Oxford in 2012.

Rumour has it that, in his one-man show on 3rd, Teddy might debut some new material which is a huge thrill for his fans. Support on the night comes from a young lady from Stroud called Sophronie who has a set of original material and three albums to her credit already. As music promoter Geoff Smith puts it: “Two such talents sharing the same stage will make for a fantastic start to the new season of gigs at the Holywell Music Rooms.”

• Holywell Music and Folk is run by volunteers to keep live music alive and to encourage young, local and talented acts to play in an amazing venue. Upcoming shows include Megan Henwood and Findlay Napier, Ben Savage and Hannah Sanders, Charlie Dore, Sam Kelly and Steve Tilston.