A Belated Obituary and an Upcoming Ceilidh

Some days ago The Guardian published Charles Lemon's obituary. For some reason, we missed it and now we recovered it:

As a young man, my father, Charles Lemon, who has died aged 92, was entranced by the Brontë novels, especially Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. He twice cycled from his home in Croydon, Surrey, to Haworth, in Yorkshire, where the Brontës lived, keeping meticulous diaries and photographs of his journeys. He joined the Brontë Society in 1935, and 60 years later there was a celebration for him as the longest-serving member. He became chairman of the society's council and edited its magazine, Transactions. His last years were spent within hailing distance of the Haworth parsonage.
Charles's father was a railway clerk; neither he nor his wife had any literary pretensions, but their son was a bright boy who won a scholarship to Selhurst grammar school. At 15, he joined the Union-Castle shipping line in the City of London, eventually becoming company secretary. The firm operated ships between Britain and southern Africa, and he spent time in Mombasa before the second world war. In 1942, while on RAF leave, he married Rosaleen "Roly" Morrissey, herself a stalwart Brontë Society supporter.
Charles's service to the society was marked by a peaceable and diplomatic approach, and he remained on good terms with representatives of all shades of opinion. His scholarly research, penmanship and enthusiasm was rewarded in 1999 with an MBE. He edited manuscripts, wrote books, purchased memorabilia at auctions, and continued to help, advise and proofread, still with a boyish and enthusiastic willingness, until very late in his life. He was a member of that generation and class for whom education beyond the age of 16 was an impossibility, but who loved learning and became erudite on a wide range of subjects.
After Roly's death in the early 1990s, Charles moved to Yorkshire, aged 78, to be near to both our family and his spiritual home of Haworth. Sprightly and independent, he loved Yorkshire life, never missing the walks, meetings and outings organised by the society.
A faithful Catholic, he maintained a great interest in the Worth Valley Railway, Wagner operas, Crystal Palace football team, cricket, snooker and the works of writers as disparate as Dr Johnson, James Joyce and John Betjeman. His lively mind and sweetness of character brought him widespread love and friendship. His long and happy marriage produced three children, nine grandchildren and five
great-grandchildren, who survive him. (Catherine Martins)

We don't know if Mr Lemon was fond of ceilidhs but we suppose he would also endorse this one that will take place in Haworth on Saint Patrick's day organized by the Friends of the Brontë Society. You can read all the details on the Brontë Parsonage Blog.

Categories: Brontë Parsonage Museum, Brontë Society