Geoff

Karen and Rob

Stella and Ian

Henrik and Astrid

Andy Sampson is an experienced metal detectorist with deep roots in Orford, where he spent childhood holidays.

Living locally, he possesses exceptional knowledge of ancient maps and is eager to share stories of remarkable artefacts from the Iron Age to WW2.

He leads the group daily, offering guidance and passing on his infectious enthusiasm for metal detecting.

John French, from Suffolk, has a strong interest in history, particularly the region's Anglo Saxon roots. He has volunteered on various archaeological digs, including Sutton Hoo under Professor Martin Carver in the early '80s.

John has been metal detecting for 30 years, making significant discoveries now displayed in local and national museums.

He has also worked as a reliable detectorist for Suffolk County Council's Archaeological Services.

Recently, he appeared on ITV's "Great British Treasure Hunt" with Henry Cole. We are pleased to have John on the Suffolk Sandlands team, where he will guide and educate our guests with his expertise.

Graeme Rushton has been a successful metal detectorist for over four decades. Unearthed UK is his top rated YouTube channel showcasing his metal detecting videos, gaining a large detectorist following.

In 2021 Graeme was cast in the pilot for "Henry Cole's Great British Treasure hunt" with ITV which went on for a five series run working alongside our John French. In 2022 he appeared in the Channel 5 series Digging for Treasure, followed by the soon to be screened BBC1 series, Lost and Found in the Lakes alongside Helen Skelton and a team of detectorists and divers, locating lost items.

A successful author, his first book, "A Guide To Metal Detecting", was published in 2021 with another on the way.

Toby Capwell is a leading authority on medieval and Renaissance arms and armour. With thirty years of experience, he has worked with major collections like the Imperial Armoury in Vienna, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the Royal Armouries in Leeds. Capwell was curator at Glasgow Museums and the Wallace Collection for sixteen years until January 2023.

He is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Armourers in London.

He has authored many books on armour and weapons, curated numerous exhibitions, and frequently appears in the media.

Tim works for the Ipswich Museum Service where he interprets the collections for schools and the public, with a focus on Anglo-Saxon archaeology.

He is a member of the living history group Wulfheodenas, who aim to authentically recreate the crafts and material culture of the 6th- 7th century Northern world.

Dr. Richard Hoggett is a freelance heritage consultant, lecturer, and writer with over 20 years of experience in heritage sectors. He advises landowners, developers, and planning authorities. He frequently lectures on archaeological and historical topics and has published extensively in books and journals.

He is an elected Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London and a member of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists.

Philip is a museum curator, archaeologist, and historian with 25 years at Colchester Museum as Curator of Archaeology and recently Heritage Manager. He studied archaeology and anthropology at Downing College, Cambridge, and has published on various archaeological and historical topics, including coin hoards and jewellery. He has contributed to the Rendlesham Anglo-Saxon royal settlement research project and manages the Portable Antiquities Scheme in Essex with the British Museum.

Edward Martin worked as an archaeologist with Suffolk County Council for many years, specialising in prehistory and historic landscape studies. He has written and lectured widely on the archaeology, history, landscape, buildings and gardens of East Anglia, and particularly of Suffolk. He is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London, a Vice-President and past Chairman of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History, Chairman of the Suffolk Gardens Trust, and a committee member of the Suffolk Historic Buildings Group

Angela Care Evans is an archaeologist and former Curator in the department of Britain, Europe, and Prehistory at the British Museum. She has published extensively on the Sutton Hoo Mound 1 artefacts and early medieval metalwork. Angela is an expert in early medieval English archaeology and material culture, especially the Sutton Hoo burial, metalwork including brooches and horse harnesses, and shipbuilding.