A MIDDLEWICH treasure will be returning home after a year-long wait – and will soon be displayed to the public for the first time.

In June, on behalf of Middlewich Town Council, Ian Doughty, Chair and Collections Manager of Congleton Museum, travelled to the British Museum in London to collect the 17th Century gold mourning ring.

Now Middlewich Town Council is making provisions for the ring’s permanent move back home.

Kerry Fletcher, Middlewich Town Council’s heritage officer, said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity to have this item to show to the community, it represents a difficult period in the lives of Middlewich people but also the status of the landowners.”

The ring was found by Chadwick Road resident Michael Farrington in 2010 while metal detecting on farmland.

As it was classed as Treasure Trove, Middlewich Town Council frantically went about raising sufficient funds for the purchase and also to find a way of showing it to the public.

Funds were raised through Heritage Donations from activities such as Talks and Tours and a contribution was made by the Cheshire Archaeology Planning Advisory Service which enabled the council to save it from an open sale.

Regulations that govern Museums in England rules that the ring had to go to an accredited Museum and as Middlewich is still in the early stages of planning this accreditation, Congleton Museum stepped in to help.

Kerry added: “The ring itself is very beautiful and intricately worked by a fine jeweler; it is also a rare find in Middlewich, especially of the Restoration – King Charles II era.

“The ring has a story to tell about the status of Landowners and influential families in the Cheshire area and can help us to understand more about the history of Middlewich.

“It can also act as a catalyst for further collection items or loans from this unique period of history and can be used as part of school or community project work.

“Ultimately Middlewich Town Council seeks to protect Middlewich Heritage, showing items like this in a future town exhibition.”

A history is currently being compiled to unravel the story behind the ring, which is believed to have been manufactured around 1658-1669.

There are many candidates for the ring’s owner, including Frances and Katherine Venables, both widows of the last two Barons of Kinderton.

Working in partnership with Middlewich Town Council, Congleton Museum will arrange the first ever public outing of the find.

The exhibition date will be announced later this year by which time the council will be able to advise on the long-term arrangements of display.

Kerry added: “A big thank you to everyone involved, including Middlewich High School who made a short film highlighting the need for donations.”