Ken Jefferies was distraught after he lost a much-treasured item while on a visit to Ripon.

His cherished signet ring – a family heirloom with carnelian stone and intaglio depicting a Roman soldier – slipped off his wedding finger without him noticing.

When he realised it was missing, he began a desperate search, which saw him retrace his steps around the city streets and places he had visited.

The retired archaeologist and academic told the Stray Ferret:

“I was heartbroken and thought I would never see it again.”

He pointed out:

“The ring was given to me by my aunt Vivienne more than 50 years ago and I wore it as my wedding band.”

As well as being a constant reminder of his 56-year marriage to Marion, who died in 2021, the ring held memories of his aunt – a well-known actress who married into the Stevens family, owners of the former Grand Theatre in Glasgow.

The ring, with inscription, had originally been presented on November 4, 1899 to Vivienne’s father-in-law, Ernest Stevens, by members of the theatre’s band, in recognition of his writing and production of the smash-hit romantic musical For Bonnie Scotland.

Sharon Bielby, who played a part in ensuring that Mr Jefferies was re-united with the ring

Now, 123 years later, after passing down generations of the family, the heirloom was lost.

Among those in Ripon who Mr Jefferies told about the missing item, was Sharon Bielby, owner of a barber’s shop on North Street.

He said:

“I had been having my hair cut by Sharon on the day I lost it and I asked her if she would  look  out for it.”

Sharon spotted on social media that the ring, which had been damaged after being run over in a nearby road, had been found and contacted Mr Jefferies to give him the good news.

After providing the link between finder and owner, she also recommended that he take it to Red Buttons jewellers at Halls of Ripon  to see if it could be repaired.

Ring repaired and returned 

Jeweller Barry, son of Red Buttons owners Mike and Liz Cooper, painstakingly re-assembled the ring and it has now been returned to Mr Jefferies, without charge for the repair – though he insisted on making a donation to the military charity Team Endeavour, which is supported by Halls of Ripon.

Mike Cooper, said:

“The ring clearly has huge sentimental as well as historic value and we are pleased that Ken has it back in his possession.”

In a final twist to the tale, Mr Jefferies, pointed out:

“My late father Clifford was a pharmacist and was based in the shop where Sharon now has her barber’s shop – so you never know, he may have been looking after me.”