A SILVER spoon declared treasure trove has been returned to Ryedale Folk Museum

The British Museum has agreed to loan the silver spoon more than 40 years after it was discovered in the Ryedale Folk Museum’s historic Manor House.

Volunteers found the spoon in the house’s roof thatching as they moved the building to the museum’s grounds in 1971. At first, the spoon was believed to be made of pewter, but a later examination revealed that it was silver. The spoon was dated to 1510 and at that time it was the oldest known spoon in the country.

In 1976, a special court was held in Helmsley and a HM coroner declared that the spoon was Treasure Trove. Until 1996, when the law was changed, this declaration was given to silver or gold objects which had been deliberately hidden and later found, and which no one could prove they owned.

The Manor House, where the spoon was found, is the largest of the museum’s historic buildings and was originally located in the nearby village of Harome. Its origins probably date to the 16th century.

Robin Butler, who found the silver spoon, is still involved at Ryedale Folk Museum and this year will be his 50th anniversary of volunteering. Now in his 80s, Robin was involved in helping to move and re-build many of the museum’s historic buildings.

As a trained blacksmith, Robin was given the job of manufacturing iron pegs which would be used to help support the roof thatching. As the building was deconstructed, Robin set about saving as many of the original iron pegs as he could. He pulled what he thought was just another iron peg from the thatch but in fact it was the silver spoon.

Museum chairman Philip Holt said: “We are thrilled by the return of the silver spoon to the museum. I am particularly pleased that Robin will be able to see his special discovery again.

“It is very apt timing as he is celebrates half a century of volunteering for the museum. So many of our stories relate to the extraordinary dedication of our volunteers and this is another wonderful tale.”

The silver spoon will be on display in the museum’s art gallery until Sunday, September, 10.

For details, phone 01751 417367 or go to ryedalefolkmuseum.co.uk