AN ARTEFACT holding significant historical links between Holyhead and the Netherlands has been donated to the Anglesey Town's Maritime Museum.

Mary Parry MBE handed over a bowl from the HNLMS Medusa to the Museum on Friday.

On May 14 1940, under heavy attack, the Medusa sailed for the United Kingdom. She was first stationed at Falmouth before transferring to Holyhead on July 31, 1940 to be the tender to the Dutch accommodation vessel 'Stuyvesant'.

As a result, many generations of Welsh people with Dutch ancestry still live in Holyhead to this day.

The bowl donated to the maritime museum is the very first artefact from the Medusa to be housed there.

Mrs Parry's brother in law, Johnny Andriesse, was a chef on the ship and would often visit family in Holyhead when ever his crew were docked on the Town’s quay.

Johnny had passed the bowl on to Mary’s mother and she used it to serve up various meals and desserts, including rice pudding.

Mrs Parry, known for arranging on-stage productions with her 'Musical Players’, visited the museum alongside some of her young dancers, who performed a routine.

Speaking on donating the item, she said: "I've kept the bowl all these years as it's important to the history of Holyhead.

"I've decided to hand it over to the Museum as it will be the first piece from the Medusa to go on show there.

"We had a wonderful morning and I have to say a big thank you to the girls who came with me - they did Holyhead proud."

Albert Owen MP, who attended the handover, added: "The donation of the artefact from the HNLMS Medusa by Mary Parry is an important part of our maritime and international link with the Netherlands.

“The Dutch Navy found a safe haven in Holyhead harbour during World War Two. These artefacts are real ‘people’s history’ and there is no better place for them to be housed. than the renowned Maritime Museum that keeps alive our rich history for future generations.”