A COMMEMORATIVE gold medal presented a century ago to an early 20th century Newport Mayor has been gifted back by his family.

Charles Perry Simmonds, who lived in Chepstow Road, was a magistrate and member of the Newport Corporation from 1902 until 1919 and served as mayor in 1912/1913.

Medals are presented to Newport’s mayors at the end of their term of office to mark their year of service.

His grandson Alan Gough, who lives in Nottinghamshire, recently wrote to the present mayor – Councillor Cliff Suller – to offer the medal back to the city.

Councillor Suller said: “Mr Gough’s kind gesture is much appreciated and the medal will take its rightful place on display alongside other mayoral mementos.

“I would like to thank Mr Gough and assure him his grandfather’s medal will be treasured by the city council and serve as a constant reminder of his dedicated service to Newport.”

The gold medal, made by Hoskin, the gold and silversmith, of Bridge Street, was still in its original box with the inscription: “Presented by the Corporation of the County Borough of Newport to Charles Perry Simmonds, Esq, to mark his mayoralty of this town, 1912-13.”

It is being displayed in the Mayor’s Parlour at the Civic Centre.