Digging up the past has never been so entertaining, especially if you caught Henry Sandon and Peter Stewart at Badsey recently. Their Badsey Society gig attracted a large audience to the village church to see these two veteran's of the 'archaeologist's trowel' dig deeper into the lighter side of their passion for old crocks.

Peter started the evening with an illustrated talk on the 'finds' he had found whilst metal-detecting in Badsey. Everything from Roman coins to US Army uniform buttons. But it was his pottery that led to a friendly one-upmanship banter with Henry, as to who had dug up the better pieces. Henry came out on top thanks to once having an incredibly 'full of old pots' garden.

After a break for coffee and biscuits, and a chance to try out the church's new toilet, the second half saw Henry in excellent form, as he talked about items of porcelain and pottery that the villagers had brought along. Stories and anecdotes from the seasoned TV expert kept the audience amused until late into the evening. Henry was thanked by the chairman of the Society, Maureen Spinks, and presented with a set of pens.

Will Dallimore