PUPILS from St John’s Primary School in High Street, Wellington, have learnt more about a letter the Duke of Wellington sent in 1850 which accompanied money to help fund the school’s construction.

The 12 youngsters visited Wellington Museum where curator Colin Spackman told them about the ‘Iron Duke’s’ letter sent with a £50 donation when he was 81.

The letter has been in the school many years but in the interests of preserving the 166-year-old document in a more suitable physical environment it is going to the Somerset Heritage Centre in Taunton.

The letter was recently presented to Wellington Museum Society so it could copy it for display in the town’s museum before going to the heritage centre.

The letter was probably sent to Reverend WW Pulman, who was vicar of St John’s Church at the time.

There are a couple of words in the letter that have proved difficult to make out but the text appears to be:

Address 3, Up Belgrave Pl, Norwich

London. September 12th 1850.

Sir, In reply to your letter of the 4th I have pleasure in subscribing 50£ which I send for the building of your Parish School.

I have the honour to be Sir your obedient humble servant.

Sent Arthur Wellington