IN RESPONSE to Sara Radway’s observation (October 8) that the recent BBC television adaptation of the novel Cider with Rosie used the wrong version of the Lord’s Prayer with the pronoun “who art in heaven”

instead of “which”. She is correct in that in Laurie Lee’s day the “which” version would have been used.

We all know that film-makers rarely let the facts get in the way of a good story and I admire Sara’s keen interest in spotting this BBC clanger.

She also asks about the provenance of the change of wording which includes “which to who” and “them to those”. It all started in the United States with issue of the American-revised Book of Common Prayer published in 1928 by the American Episcopal Church. The Americans were at the time reflecting what was then becoming colloquial usage.

By the time of the liturgical reforms of the 1960s and 1970s this new usage influenced the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church.

Both churches began to use the “modern” form as exemplified by the Americans.

The Church of England now has effectively two forms of liturgy, the newer (Common Worship) and the older (The Book of Common Prayer 1662). As many churches still use the old Book of Common Prayer, people attending those services will be familiar with the Lord’s Prayer usage of “which” and “them”.

Most people never spot the difference. My guess is the newer form is closer to how people speak today but the older form is still much loved.

NICHOLAS HENDERSON

Chester Crescent