Torc forms part of gold exhibition

The Iron Age collar necklace found by treasure hunter Mr Maurice Richardson, of Newark, is on show in London as part of an exhibition of golden objects.

The Newark Torc, a 2,000-year-old treasure, was found by Mr Richardson in a field near Newark in 2005 and bought by Newark and Sherwood District Council for £350,000.

Mr Richardson received half the money and the rest went to Trinity College Cambridge, which owns the land where it was found.

The National Heritage Memorial Fund helped with the cost of buying the treasure.

There was also a contribution from The Goldsmiths’ Company, which has put it on display in its latest exhibition, Gold: Power and Allure, celebrating the story of Britain and Gold over 4,500 years.

The exhibition features 400 gold items, many of which have rarely been seen before. It is on show in the Goldsmiths’ Hall on Foster Lane until the end of July. Entrance to the exhibition is free.

The Newark Torc is made from hand-rolled gold alloy wires that were plaited into eight thin ropes and then twisted together.

It is thought the Newark collar had been buried as an offering.

Once the exhibition closes it will be returned to the British Museum, which has been loaned the torc until the new museum and Civil War Centre planned by the district council is completed on Appletongate, Newark.

Mr Richardson said he thought the British Museum was the right home for the torc until it could be safely exhibited in Newark.

He said once the torc was on show in the town he expected there could be a lot of spin-off for Newark.

“There is still a lot of interest in it. People are always asking me what is happening to it. I think this will be good for the town,” he said.

Mr Richardson said he would never forget the feeling when he unearthed the treasure.

He said it was amazing when he found it and even more spectacular once it had been properly cleaned.

He is a regular visitor to the British Museum to see the torc.

“I must have been about six times. I always pop in to say hello,” Mr Richardson said.