The Brontës by the sea

Driffield Today publishes an article about the new edition of the book The Brontës by the Sea including Six Walks by Rhonda Petersen:

Rhonda Petersen, who teaches creative writing in Driffield, wrote the first edition of the Bronte book when she lived in Bridlington.
Rhonda said: "I became interested in the Brontes' visits to the coast when I realised that the farmhouse Charlotte stayed at in Bridlington was nearby, although it had been demolished in the 1960s.
"I enjoyed researching the sisters' holidays on the coast and in particular, devising the walks in their footsteps as I have always loved walking in East Yorkshire.
"I led the Mind women's walking group in Bridlington for many years. In conjunction with the book I have given talks to various groups such as Women's Institutes. I even share my birthday with one of the Brontes, the ne'er do well brother Branwell!"
The first edition of the book, published in 1997, sold 700 copies, in bookshops tourist offices and fellow Bronte enthusiasts.
Rhonda teaches creative writing at adult education classes in Driffield and on a freelance basis in Goole and other venues in East Yorkshire. She is also a member of the Selby Writers and York Women Writers.
Her book, The Brontes By The Sea, is illustrated and includes six walks in the footsteps of the Brontes.
Rhonda said: "It is a lively history of Charlotte and Anne Bronte's various visits to the Yorkshire seaside which spanned 14 years from 1839 - 1853.
"The diminutive Charlotte, who was only 4ft 9in, explored the area most thoroughly, returning four times in all. She visited Bridlington, Scarborough, Hornsea, Filey and many of the smaller villages.
"Anne was so passionate about the coast that she begged to be taken to her beloved Scarborough in 1849, when she almost certainly knew she was dying, to make her last bonding with the sea. She lies in the graveyard of St Mary's Church above the town.
"Branwell, the brother known more for his feckless lifestyle and his artistic ability than his written work, also spent part of at least one summer season in Scarborough.
"It is without doubt that the Brontes' memories of staying at the seaside reflected some of the happiest periods of their lives."
The six historical walks are in Filey, Scarborough Bridlington, Flamborough, Hornsea and Speeton with buildings and places of interest pointed out along the way.
Rhonda, who lives in Melbourne, said: "The Bridlington walk passes the site of Charlotte's house and leads walkers to the old Quay area where she watched both promenaders and fishermen with fascination.
"The Scarborough walk includes the point where Anne, who adored the sea and worked as a governess in the resort in its heyday, died in 1849, and her grave near Scarborough castle.
"The Bell Hotel in Driffield gets a mention, too, for this is where Charlotte and her friend Ellen Nussey changed coaches on their way to Bridlington in 1839.
"Her coach to Driffield from York Railway Station may have passed through Pocklington, to avoid Garrowby Hill."
The book is available online at www.lulu.com and Rhonda is hoping it will also be available from Sokells in Driffield.

You can preview the book here.

Categories: Books,Brontëana