Christmas 2006, brought to you by Jane Eyre

This year the run-up to Christmas, with the switching-on of lights and the opening of festivals, etc . is very Jane-Eyre-related. At least when it comes to the BBC Jane Eyre.

Ruth Wilson is scheduled to attend the gala that will take place on December 14 in Holt, UK.

“We just thought that as Ruth has local connections, and she is very much the lady of the moment, it would be wonderful if she could help,” said Mrs Murrell.[...]
Miss Wilson will be giving a reading at the gala evening, which will also include singing from the church choir, a reading of the Christmas story by a congregation member, and a buffet. (North Norfolk News)

But little Georgie Henley has already done her bit too in Ilkley, UK.

Families crowded into a chilly Ilkley town centre on Saturday to welcome home young Chronicles of Narnia star, Georgie Henley, as she officially lit up the town for Christmas.[...]
The young actress, who also recently appeared in a television production of Jane Eyre, told the crowds how she has always enjoyed seeing the annual Christmas lights in Ilkley, her favourite features being the colourful peacock lights display and the giant Christmas tree standing overlooking Brook Street.
"I've travelled a lot in the past two years," she told the crowd on The Grove. "I've been to New Zealand, America, Japan, Europe, to many beautiful places, I've met lots of lovely people, but the nicest place for me is Ilkley." (Amanda Greaves in Ilkey Gazette)

Awww... isn't she cute?

On another news, The Guardian tries to see "past Cinderella".

Old narrative patterns which suggested that women had the freedom to imagine that their beauty was not their only power - that Jo March might be the heroine rather than pretty Amy, that Jane Eyre is more powerful than the gorgeous Blanche - have been pushed aside by reality television's inability to see past the Cinderella story. (Natasha Walker)

Indeed, Charlotte Brontë's goal was to prove - initially to her sisters - that she could create a heroine much like herself ("poor, obscure, plain and little") and make her as interesting and powerful - if not more - as their own heroines. We think she managed pretty well.

And to finish with a lovely view. A site somewhat similar to Geograph British Isles but global, has recently posted a beautiful picture of Wycoller Hall, the place that might have inspired Ferndean Manor.

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