My Napkin Ring

 I haven't used a napkin ring in years for the simple reason that, as a 'modern' family, we've never had napkins at table, but now I'm getting old and dribbly it seemed a good idea, though I'm not so far gone, yet, to have the napkin tucked under my chin.

In the early years in East Africa my napkin ring was well-used. It appeared at table for breakfast, lunch and dinner with a clean, white napkin in it each morning. The napkins were washed daily by Kitetu the dhobi boy (right), and he and Saidi (left) were responsible for cleaning the rings - along with a mass of other silver-, copper- and brassware - once a week, a task which they carried out with some gusto - hence the wear on the ring

A napkin ring is one of the things which, in those days, a child had to have at its christening. Mrs MW also had one, which she was required to use at table until she left home to go to Keele. She had it until recently but, sadly, it seems to have been one of the casualties of our recent moves.

I was quite proud of mine as it had an unusual octagonal shape, all the others being round or oval. It's made of sterling silver and hallmarked. The anchor proves that it was made in Birmingham, the lion indicates a London or other English assay office, and the L with the wavy lower border shows that it was made in 1935. D&F is the manufacturer's hallmark, standing for Deakin & Francis, a Birmingham company founded in 1786 which is still trading, but which today specialises in men's cufflinks and signet rings.

I don't know who gave it to me, there is no reference to it in my mother's writings, nor is there a clue in that it was made in Birmingham. It doesn't matter: I'm grateful for it and just pleased that it has survived with me for my seventy-five years.