Scot digging into family’s town past

A BANBRIDGE man living in Scotland is appealing to Leader readers for information they may have on a 94-year-old silver chalice (pictured) left to him by his grandfather.

By The Newsroom

Published 16th Feb 2011, 14:44 BST

Matt Bankhead, who now lives in Edinburgh, is keen to find out more about Banbridge Literary Society, the group that presented the chalice to his grandfather Matthew Davidson in 1915.

After fruitless internet searches Matt decided to ask the people of Banbridge for help. The chalice is a prized family heirloom and is engraved with the incription “Banbridge Literary Society presented by WJM MacCaw MP”.

Matt said, “The hallmark gives a date of 1915 for the silver and this fits with William John MacGeagh MacCaw representing West Down between 1908 and 1918.

“I believe that it was presented to my maternal grandfather Matthew Davidson, tailor, whose premises were at No 53 Bridge St, where I grew up.

“Do any of your readers know of the existence of records for Banbridge Literary Society?”

Anyone with information can get in touch with the Leader for Matt’s contact details.