A mystery benefactor who left nearly £18,000 to Malton School was a former pub landlady who lived in York when she died last year.

Two former neighbours of Alma Collier in Middlethorpe Drive, Dringhouses, contacted the Evening Press after headteacher David Roberts issued an appeal for information about her.

Bernard and Barbara Turgoose lived across the road from Mrs Collier and her husband, William, for a number of years.

Mr Turgoose said: "Before they retired to York, they lived in Robin Hood's Bay and they ran a pub that her mother used to run in Whitby."

He said Mrs Collier was in her late 70s or early 80s when she died last year - two or three years after the death of her husband, who had been in the timber trade.

Another neighbour, who asked to remain anonymous, said when Mr and Mrs Collier first moved to Dringhouses, her elderly mother lived with them.

"Mrs Collier was a difficult lady to get to know because she was so very deaf. She was very pleasant, but you didn't get very far with her."

Despite extensive inquiries, Malton School has had no luck in identifying Mrs Collier's link with the school.

The roll of pupils has been checked back over a century without any luck. Another possibility is that she was once a member of staff.Mr Roberts said the information provided by Mrs Collier's former neighbours was very welcome.

"We didn't know where she lived. We didn't know where she had worked. It was just a name and a maiden name.

"This really is additional information, but the link with Malton School has still to be established."

The school wants to find out more about Mrs Collier before deciding the most appropriate way of using her gift. One of the major projects being considered is a library bearing her name.

If you know more about Alma Collier (nee Knowles), telephone the Evening Press's Malton office on 01653 690690, or email yorknewsdesk@york.newsquest.co.uk

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