Published: Friday, 5th February, 2010 12:10pm

Reward offered for historic family heirloom

Pamela Strachan wearing the missing necklace.

A BROUGHTON woman has made an impassioned plea for the return of a priceless family heirloom.

Peeblesshire News readers may remember Pamela Strachan who lost her Maltese silver necklace on a shopping trip in Peebles just before Christmas.

Sadly the necklace has never been found, and the loss is all the more poignant now the publication of a new book has revealed the necklace is a legacy from the family of the famous Borders explorer Mungo park.

The necklace, a gift from Pamela's grandmother, was already known to have an illustrious past. It was first bought by her great grandfather 2nd naval surgeon Dr William Henry Symes on the H.M.S Galatea in 1862.

It was on the same trip that Dr Symes saved the life of the then Captain Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Alfred, after he was hit by a bullet.

However, the new book shows that the necklace has an even more interesting past as it finally proves that Pamela is a direct descendent of Mungo Park, most famous for discovering the source of the River Niger in Africa.

The book, Mungo Park's Trunk, traces Park's family tree and shows that Pamela's great, great grandfather was none other than Robert Park, Mungo's nephew.

Dr Symes gave the necklace to his wife Minnie, who was the great niece of Mungo, and ever since it has been passed down through the generations.

Born and raised in New Zealand, Pamela moved to Broughton after marrying her Scottish husband, Hew.

Pamela told the Peeblesshire News: "My family has always maintained that we were related to Mungo Park, and we even called our youngest son Mungo, but there had never been any proof. The book proves there is, and it makes the loss of this necklace all the more sad.

"It's part of the family's history that has passed through three generations and I would love to be able to pass it onto one of my granddaughter's some day."

Pamela lost the necklace in Peebles after some Christmas shopping, and despite offering a reward has yet to be reunited with the much loved chain.

She said: "The monetary value of the necklace isn't really very much, but it holds huge personal sentiment for me.

"It was passed to me from my own grandmother Ethel over 30 years ago and I have worn it ever since. I would be more than happy to pay over the odds to have it back and will happily pay a hefty reward.

"I can't explain how much it would mean to me to get the necklace back."

Made from Maltese silver, the necklace is described as a chunky silver chain with oval links, which is much lighter than it first appears.

Anyone with any information should contact Peebles Police Station.