ONE of the bosses of Carlisle’s Tullie House museum says he is pleased the famous Crosby Garret helmet could be a catalyst for change in what is legally classed as treasure in the UK.

It is eight years since the museum lost out on buying the spectacular helmet, which is one of the most impressive Roman artefacts ever found in Britain.

Had the helmet been made of gold or silver, the local museum would have had first choice in securing the find.

However, as the helmet was made of copper alloy it did not meet the requirements in UK law to be designated as treasure. Soon after the discovery of the helmet by a metal detector enthusiast near Kirkby Stephen it was sold to a private seller for more than £2m.

Ever since the case the British Museum has been campaigning for a change in legislation that would see the definition of treasure widened.

Off the back of the Crosby Garrett case, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport unveiled new plans on Monday.

They included:

  • Designating finds worth more than £10,000 as treasure and the items will be available to acquire by museums
  • Revising the definition of treasure in the act to focus the process on significant archaeological, cultural and historical finds
  • There were also changes in the administrative process to speed up and rationalise the treasure-declaring process.

Andrew McKay, one of Tullie House’s directors, told the News & Star: “It is nearly eight years ago since the Crosby helmet, which has led to this.

“After the auction when we didn’t get it there were two men in the House of Lords who hammered the House of Lords for changes to the law.

“The British Museum has been working on that for eight years to push these changes.

“I am really pleased that the Crosby Garrett case has played a part.”

Acquiring the helmet, said Mr McKay, could have had a huge impact on the museum.

“I think in terms of numbers if I had to estimate, it would boost visitor numbers by 10 per cent.

“So as we now have 240,000 each year, we would see an extra 24,000 through the doors.”

Mr McKay added: “I am really pleased about this, it [the helmet case] appears to be the catalyst for change.

“Collections will now be available for the benefit of British libraries and museums, which is good news to me.”

Of the owner of the helmet, Mr McKay added: “We have been able to borrow the helmet from the owner, he has been very kind in lending it to us.

“Borrowing it is the next best thing.”

The proposals are now up for consultation and the Government is inviting feedback. To view the plans, visit http://bit.ly/2Rxtm7O.