Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Detectorist: I’ve found a ton of stuff
Kind treasure hunter’s 100th find
A METAL detectorist is celebrating his 100th discovery after years of reuniting people with lost jewellery.
Darren Wiles, 50, gives up his free time to hunt for others’ mislaid treasures, often at the beach and even in the sea.
The software salesman has located engagement and wedding rings, necklaces, earrings, watches and car keys.
Darren even found a phone that still worked after a week underwater.
He said: “It feels amazing to have reached 100 finds.
“I do it because I love it. That’s why I do it for free – the reaction from people when you reunite them with their lost things is great.”
Darren, of Bournemouth, Dorset, totted up his final three finds in five days to reach his century.
He found an opal earring on a beach while searching in the dark at 1am and then a metal pole bracket for a bird feeder that had got buried in a garden.
His 100th find was a platinum wedding ring lost by Rob Wolf as he played with his children in the sea at exclusive Sandbanks in Poole.
The 40-year-old’s wife Lisa contacted Darren on Facebook the next day and it took him 30 minutes to spot the band. This week Darren met a relieved Rob who was reunited with his ring. Dad-of-two Darren took up the hobby in 2009 and now runs Bournemouth Metal Detecting Club with Aaron Le Arn and John Rodwell.
His best finds are those involving sentimental items. Jordan Jenkins lost a ring containing his younger brother’s ashes on Bournemouth beach. Owen had died aged 12 while trying to save two girls from drowning in a weir in Nottinghamshire in 2017. Darren, who found the ring within 10 minutes, said: “I showed it to Jordan and the look on his face said it all – and then he gave me a hug.
“It was a special moment as he was reunited with his brother.” adam.aspinall@mirror.co.uk