MANY years ago when I was young and the Sabbath day was still observed (well it was thus at Tadcaster) we were the beneficiaries of someone who could be described as the patron saint of Sunday school attendances.

His name... Philip Lord Wharton (1613-1696).

He was said to be responsible for the legacy which provided money for the bibles and prayer books presented to Sunday schoolchildren who had learned the catechism and seven psalms.

I now know that Lord Wharton, who spent some time in the Tower of London, owned an estate at Healaugh, a village only a few miles from Tadcaster.

The then vicar of Healaugh was this nobleman's chaplain.

Despite such local connections, very little seems to be known about Lord Wharton the philanthropist and he remains a shadowy figure at Tadcaster.

Would any of your readers care to enlighten us?

Ida Mary Goodrick,

Woodlands Avenue,

Tadcaster.

Updated: 10:43 Thursday, November 17, 2005