A project to connect the literary heritage of the Brontës with contemporary art has received a £1,000 donation.And now, the not so good. We have already published about this initiative, but The Telegraph & Argus publishes a reminder:The Yorkshire Bank Charitable Trust has given the money to the Brontë Society, which will spend it on its contemporary arts programme.
Andrew McCarthy, deputy director of the Brontë Parsonage Museum at Haworth, said: "We want the parsonage to be much more than just a literary museum.
"Through the contemporary arts programme, we hope to establish the museum as a thriving creative centre.
"The Brontës are well established in people's minds, but there are a lot of stereotypes about them and about the museum.
"We want to retain what people love about the place but also inject something of the contemporary creative world into the parsonage.
"We are very grateful for the Yorkshire Bank's support. Through it we aim to bring more well-known writers and artists to work with us here in Haworth, and to develop projects with Yorkshire-based creative talent also."
Anthony Cope, the business manager of Yorkshire Bank in Keighley, said: "We are delighted that we have been able to support this worthwhile project."
ONLY three company bosses who trade off the name of a world-famous literary family have pledged to dig into their pockets and support the work of the Brontë Society.Categories: Brontë Parsonage Museum, Brontë Society, In the News
Former president of the society, Richard Wilcocks, said he was not surprised with the poor response.
In March, he wrote to 36 firms across the UK and Ireland who use the name Brontë in their company name.
He and others made follow up telephone calls and received either cautious or evasive comments, surprise from others, some claimed they had not received the initial letter and others were friendly.
Three promised to help the society, which saw a slump in visitors last year by 10,000 and a loss of about £100,000.
"I can't say I was disappointed because I was pessimistic to start with," said Mr Wilcocks. "But at least we achieved one thing which was to raise our publicity.
"And, of course, I'm extremely grateful to the people who have said they would help. And there is still a chance for others to pledge their support."
He was surprised that a number of people did not seem to connect the name with the Brontës, at the Parsonage, although they were aware of the term Brontë Country.
Among the people who responded positively was Steven Leach, who runs Brontë Engineering Technologies and Brontë Precision Engineering, at Low Moor, Bradford. Mr Leach said: "I live in the area and was aware of the Brontës and the name is advantageous."
Miriam Spollen, who runs Brontë Bridal, in Dublin, and was attracted by the "Brontë costumes", promised to send cash help.
Also pledging support was Sir James Aykroyd, of Harrogate, who owns the Brontë Liqueur and related trademarks.
He said in a letter: "Should Brontë Liqueur be introduced I would be happy to include in the sale price a small contribution to the society for each bottle sold." Sir James's great-grandfather was Sir James Roberts, a self-made textile mogul who was born in a Haworth back-to-back.
The Brontë Parsonage Museum gets no Government assistance and is reliant on the generosity of supporters and visitors to the museum.
Companies can sponsor an artefact, special event and exhibition or children's workshop or contribute to the acquisitions fund. Companies will feature on Brontë publicity.
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