Restore a vital piece of Britain's literary heritage

Daily Mail picks up the story about Thornbush Farm (Lousy Farm in Patrick Brontë's time) being auctioned.

Enthusiasts of the literary works of the Brontë family can snap up a slice of the family's history at auction next month. 

While Thornbush Farm on Miry Lane in West Yorkshire is now derelict, its history is far from dull, and the entire 8.5 acre site is going up for auction via Auction House on 5 February with a guide price of £380,000 plus fees. 

In the 19th century, the site featured two sturdy adjoining cottages and was known as Lousy Farm. 

In 1811 it became the home of the future Brontë patriarch, Reverend Patrick Brontë, the father of writers Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Brontë, and of Branwell Brontë, his son. 

Reverend Patrick is understood to have lived in the cottage after taking up his first full ministry and lodging with his landlords. 

While at the farm, Reverend Patrick met and married his wife, Maria Branwell. The couple had their first two children, but both sadly died during childhood. 

During his time at Lousy Farm, Reverend Patrick authored and published his first work, Cottage Poems. 

The young family are understood to have remained at Lousy Farm until around 1815, when they relocated to Thornton, the birthplace of Emily, Charlotte and Anne and Brandon.

The Brontë sisters authored several popular and influential novels, including Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.    

James Pank, a director and auctioneer at Auction House West Yorkshire, said: 'This is a unique opportunity to take ownership of a site with a fascinating history and perhaps restore or reimagine a vital piece of Britain's literary heritage.' 

The farm's cottages and outbuildings have been affected by the passing of time, but the site still commands stunning countryside views.

Owing to the site's historic connections, the farm's cottages and outbuildings are Grade II-listed and require an owner with the vision and cash to restore or redevelop the site, subject to planning permissions. 

Approximately 0.7 acres of the site is brownfield, with the remaining 7.8 acres being categorised as greenfield. 

'Numerous planning applications relating to a variety of uses including residential dwellings and a visitor attraction can be found on the Kirklees Planning Portal searching via the property's post code', Auction House said. 

The site is accessed off Lincs Wold and is a short distance from Hightown, Liversedge. (Jane Denton)

Halifax Courier has an article about it too.

Cranbrook Daily Townsman features Cranbrook Public Library which is celebrating its 100th anniversary with an art exhibit dedicated to readers' favourite books.

Cranbrook Arts volunteers Jack and Catherine Moes submitted a wood carving of books from the Brontë sisters, including the famous Wuthering Heights. They also carved a collection of wooden blocks that show the evolution of children's books from the 15th to 20th century. (Gillian Francis)