Philip Scott Yorke

Philip Scott Yorke (1905 - 1978) was the last Squire of Erddig.

Philip was born on 23rd of March 1905, at Erddig, Denbighshire. He was the second son of Philip Yorke II and Louisa Matilda (née Scott), and the final direct descendant of Philip Yorke. Philip Scott and his elder brother Simon Yorke had a comfortable upbringing on the family estate, and Philip's education took place at Moorland House Preparatory School in Heswall, and Shrewsbury School. He was not naturally academically-leaning, but took part in numerous activities including rowing for the school, and learning the trombone, tenor horn, onestringed fiddle, and the musical saw. In 1927 he graduated from Corpus Christi College, Cambridge with a B.A., and attended Ridley Hall to take Holy Orders. However he left without completing the course. Upon the death of Philip senior in 1922, the Erddig estate was inherited by Simon, the eldest.

From 1930 Philip began persuing his long appreciation for the stage, by becoming a professional actor with the Northampton Repertory Theatre, and the Folkestone Repertory Theatre in 1932. He later formed the London and County Players; buying an old bus and touring halls mainly in south-east England, also appearing in Cork and Waterford. Philip joined the Education Corps for World War II, based primarily in Northern Ireland as a sergeant instructor, and was released with high commendation.

Yorke was also a lay reader for local churches (despite the fact the diocese holds no record of a licence to support this), as well as preaching in non-conformist chapels. His adulthood was rather hand-to-mouth compared with his childhood, though in 1966 his brother Simon died, and he inherited the estate (by this time in general disrepair). Erddig's income had been low since the time of their father, and the collapse of a mine shaft at local Bersham Colliery caused the house to sink at one end. Philip seems to have had a more eccentric and sociable reputation than his brother. He was frequently seen with his penny-farthing bicycle, and was a 'humorous lecturer with his ancient magic lantern'. At Erddig he seems to have prefered the servant's hall; his table often filled with tinned food for both himself and his dog, soft-drink bottles (the only alcohol was a bottle of Cyprus Sherry for visitors), papers, and assorted radio equipment (mostly broken). Items such as his cars, bicycles, and clothing were usually second-hand. In 1973, following drawn-out negotiations, Philip gave Erddig Estate, including the house, to the National Trust; a gift worth around 3 million pounds.

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