Reverence of books shared by two MPs

My good friend Sir Patrick Duffy, who served as minister for the navy under James Callaghan during the 1970s and was Labour member of parliament for Sheffield Attercliffe from 1970 to 1992, celebrated his 100th birthday at his home in Doncaster on June 17.

Sir Patrick retains many vivid memories of Scarborough, and due to his abiding love of English literature has made visits to the grave of Anne Bronte at St Mary’s churchyard.

During this, his centenary year, he will also, no doubt, be planning a trip to Wrea Head Country Hotel in Scalby, for many years the private residence of the late Liberal MP John Edward Ellis who died in 1910.

Reading has played a huge part in Sir Patrick’s life and during a recent interview he said he had built up books and libraries over the course of many years. Although their political views may have been different the two MPs shared a deep reverence for books.

A member of the Society of Friends, John Ellis was a Victorian coal owner who donated a library to Hucknall Torkard, the coal mining town which formed the constituency he represented in the 1880s.

During the speech he delivered at the opening of the library, Mr Ellis stressed the importance of reading biography to gain a better understanding of mankind.

Today, one can be sure that Sir Patrick would endorse those sentiments of Mr Ellis who was never happier than when he was browsing his own personal library at Wrea Head.