WITH reference to the recent death of Phoebe Hesketh. In the early 50s I was secretary of a men's Sunday afternoon class, with a membership of 40, in Trinity Methodist Church, Tonge Fold.

I had the audacity to invite Phoebe Hesketh to address us. She said she had never addressed an all-male group, but would come, with some trepidation.

She kept us spellbound, and gave her services free.

Her poem The Truant is well worth reading at a time when we are pre-occupied with school truancy.

W Glyn Jones

Blenheim Road

Bolton