This was the second time I have had the pleasure of attending the exhibition held at The Town Hall in Chester.  My own club The Historical Search Society (Mold) were represented with an assortment of display cases, ranging from the competition  case of 20 Roman items put together by various club members to a Fish Tank full of bits and pieces that visitors could search  through .  One item of interest to a family from the  South Lancs Club was a horseshoe shape with the name Rice across the  front.
The family's surname is Rice and David and Sue Dickinson  who filled the tank with finds were pleased to let the Rice's have the horseshoe.  A donation was  made to the Spinal Action Group by the Rice's. 

Eleven clubs from the North West took stands with an incredible assortment of finds covering all periods of history.  The work put into the displays showed the vast amount of knowledge available within the hobby and  the pride and hard work  with which displays are put together. 

During the day the displays are reviewed by a number of judges for seven
competitive categories.   It must have been very hard for the judges with such a wonderful selection to choose from.

Best Overall Display.   South Lancs & Cheshire MDC. 
Judged by Dennis Jordan the National President of the NCMD.

Best individual Display Case.   Ken Phillips of the West Lancs club with Medieval England.  Judged by Nick Herepath the Finds Liaison Office for the Area.

Best Special Theme (20 Roman Artefacts/coins).  Stockport MDC. 
Judged by Bob Whalley the National Treasurer of the NCMD.

Best Artefact.  Dan Cameron of Historical Search Society Mold. 
A medieval chalice.  Judged by Simon Bean the Keeper of British Coins and
Antiquities at Liverpool Museum.

Best Coin.  Albert Pinnington of the Preston MDC with eight Spanish Silver coins.
Judged by Roger Bland from the British Museum and the DCMS.

Best Beach Find.  James Hamilton of Bolton MDC with a mourning ring.
Judged by Karolyn Hatt from The Searcher magazine.

Chairmans Trophy. Brian & Mo Cross who run Detectornet UK which is a mine of information for detectorists.  Presented by Paul Haslam.