Brontë Society Summer Festival & AGM 2016

The Brontë Society 122nd Annual General Meeting and Brontë Society Summer Festival will be held in Haworth this weekend (Friday 10th June to Monday 13th June, 2016):

Friday 10 June
The Story of the Withins FarmsA talk by Steve Woods & Peter Brears
West Lane Baptist Centre, 3.00pm

A chance to hear local historial Steve Woods and his co-author Peter Brears tell the story of the 'The Real Wuthering Heights: The Story of The Withins Farms', based on their recently released book of the same title.

Charlotte - The Movie!A film by Lip Service
West Lane Baptist Centre, 7.30pm
Charlotte - The Movie!, a newly commissioned film for Charlotte's bicentenary, will premiere in Haworth at this unique screening event, which will also feature excerpts from the stage show Withering Looks and Mrs Gaskell popping over from Manchester with some words of wisdom.

Saturday 11 June
Annual Lecture: Claire HarmanHall Green Baptist Chapel, 9:45am

Following the release of her biography of Charlotte Brontë in 2015, we are delighted to welcome Claire Harman to deliver the Annual Brontë Society Lecture.

Church Service Hall Green Baptist Chapel,  11:30am
A service of thanksgiving for the Brontë Family and in particular Charlotte in her bicentenary year.
Once again Hall Green Baptist Chapel is hosting this event for us.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGWest Lane Baptist Centre,  2pm

Brontë Society Annual General Meeting Society members only please, membership cards must be shown on admittance.

'Diamonds & Donors' ReceptionBrontë Parsonage Museum, 6pm

This is an exclusive, invitation-only event for Diamond members and donors who have made a significant donation or contribution to our collection to thank them for their support.

The Great Charlotte Brontë DebateWest Lane Baptist Centre,  7.30pm

Jane Eyre or Villette - which is Charlotte Brontë's masterpiece? Tracy Chevalier will chair an evening of debate featuring readings by actress Anna Maxwell Martin (subject to filming commitments). Brontë biographer Claire Harman and novelist Joanne Harris will advocate for Jane Eyre, while biographer Lucy Hughes-Hallett and novelist Charlotte Mendelson will speak in favour of Villette.
NB - Maggie O'Farrell was originally scheduled to speak in favour of Jane Eyre, but is no longer able to attend due to scheduling conflict.

Sunday 12 June

Members' private viewingBrontë Parsonage Museum, 9am

The Brontë Parsonage Museum will be open for Brontë Society Members only to have an exclusive private view of the Museum. Tamar Stone, the creator of the Brontë Bed, will be present in the Children's Study with Tracy Chevalier throughout the private view, to answer any questions.

Hidden GemsBrontë Parsonage Museum, 10am

This fundraising event offers a unique opportunity to view gems of the Museum collection in the company of our Collections Manager Ann Dinsdale. A specially selected collection of items for this year  will have a link to Charlotte Brontë.

Sunday Guided Walkmeet at Parsonage Museum, between 12pm & 1pm

Following on from our Friday afternoon talk with Steve Woods & Peter Brears, join them to explore the moors around Haworth and 'The Withins Farms'. The walk is approximately 6 miles long and will take about 4 to 4½ hours.

Members Social EveningOld White Lion Hotel, Haworth, 7pm

Come and join other Society members at our informal social evening at the Old White Lion Hotel in Haworth, which will include a Brontë themed quiz. The quizmaster for the evening will be Barry Simmons from Eggheads (filming schedule permitting).

Monday 13 June
A trip to ‘Shirley Country’meet outside the West Lane Baptist Centre, 09,00am

Join us for a tour of ‘Shirley Country’ which will include visits to Oakwell Hall (Fieldhead) and the Red House Museum (Briarmains and the home of Mary Taylor).