In 2011, Maybole postman Alex Gemmell asked if anyone could tell him more about this silver tricycle medal awarded by Maybole Cycling Club for tricycling for 100 miles. The medal was awarded to W. McKellar and has the Birmingham Assay Office Anchor stamp. This medal was made by John Gilbert in Birmingham, and bears the hallmark for 1890.  Alex was willing to give the medal to the 'owner' or surviving relatives if they could be traced.

As well as local newspapers, the request was posted on www.maybole.org and later that year Jennifer Novzen got in touch to say that her great grandfather was former Provost of Maybole William McKellar and she believed the medal belonged to him. In addition, Jennifer has a gold version of the same medal that is in his name.

Jennifer’s great grandfather married Isabella Lees, the daughter of John Lees who founded the John Lees & Co Ltd boot factory in 1874 in Maybole. William McKellar went on to run the boot factory with Isabella's brother John Lees after the senior John Lees died.  William McKellar and Isabella had 9 children, including Jennifer’s grandfather John McKellar who went on to run the factory after William.

The McKellar family photo was taken around 1900 or 1901. Family that are in the photo starting in the back row (left to right) are: Sarah McKellar (1884-?); Colin McKellar (1885-1904); Elizabeth McKellar (1883-1913); middle row (left to right) are Jeanie McKellar (1887? - ?); William McKellar (1852-1924); Mary McKellar 1886-?); Isabella McKellar (1860-1950); and front row (left to right) William Thomson McKellar (1897-?); Isabel Lees McKellar (1896-?); John Lees McKellar (1894-1967); Jenny McKellar (1891-?)

Last month, Jennifer and her two sisters Jeannette Anders and Fiona Price visited the area  and were intending to be in Maybole on gala day so it was arranged for Alex to present the medal to them then.

After returning home Jennifer Novzen later emailed to say, “Thanks so much for arranging the return of the tricycle medal! We so enjoyed our day at the Maybole Community Day. Jennifer”.