THE reburial of Richard III reminds me of a similar occasion when the parents of former Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden, Sir William and Lady Sybil Frances Eden were reburied at St Helen’s Church near Bishop Auckland, along with other members of the Eden family.

They had originally been interred in the nearby family seat of Windlestone Hall, where the former PM was born. It was decided to move the bodies, some of which had originally been buried at St Helen’s church, because the family mausoleum had fallen into disrepair and had been vandalised.

Removing the coffins from the ruined building, at first Sir William and Lady Sybil could not be found. Knowing Sir William loved hunting and the open air: their bodies were located outside, under a tree facing the Hall.

Lady Avon, Sir Anthony’s widow Clarissa Spencer-Churchill, was at the St Helen’s ceremony, dignified and all in mourning black with a veil. Referring to the Suez crisis, which ultimately led to her husband’s resignation, she had remarked that “it felt as if the Suez Canal was flowing through my drawing room”.

Researching a possible book on the Edens, I had a lively correspondence with this interesting lady who I believe is still with us at 94.

Chris Foote-Wood, Darlington.