Mystery solved in Damerham

From the Salisbury Journal, first published Wednesday 12th Dec 2007.

A MYSTERY was solved at Western Downland Primary School when a visitor from the Royal Navy came to visit the infant children.

The school has a large sil ver cup, inscribed with the words "presented to HMS Damerham from Damerham School", which is used to reward children who have earned the most house points.

It has been at the school for as long as anyone can remember, but no one has ever been entirely sure of the story behind it.

When Commander Tim Ash's daughters, Isabel and Eleanor, started at the school, he noticed the cup whilst attending a parents evening, so started research ing its origins.

Commander Ash discov ered in the Royal Navy archive a photo of the ship and a little of her history.

Local councillor Brian Mair also found a link when the ship's company visited the village in 1960 and had tea with the schoolchildren.

It is now believed the school may have presented the cup to the ship and later, when the vessel was decom missioned, the cup was returned to the school.

A spokesman for the school said: "The children were enthralled by Commander Ash's visit - partly because he came to explain the history surround ing the cup, but mostly because he came along in uniform and brought his cer emonial sword."

But one mystery remains. A ship's bell is always returned to the village or town after which is was named once the ship is decommissioned, but this little piece of history seems to have vanished from Damerham.

l Can you help shed light on the mystery of the missing bell, or add to the story of the cup? Call the Forest Journal on 01425 480469.

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