A talk by Alex Clifford at Keighley Local Studies Library, on Saturday 30^th May at 1:30pm.

Philip Snowden was a product of the moors of Brontë country. With typical Yorkshire grit, he overcame grinding rural poverty and paralysing disability to become the Labour Party’s first Chancellor of the Exchequer.

But one decision would change his life totally, turning him from socialist hero to traitor and villain and resulting in his expulsion from the party.

Snowden embraced his new role with gusto, dedicating the rest of his life to attacking the party and people he had once loved. His bitter, self-destructive quest for vengeance has strange parallels to a more famous fictional moorland outsider.

Join historian Alexander Clifford, editor of a new edition of Snowden’s autobiography, as he explores the fascinating story of how and why Philip Snowden betrayed his party to ruthlessly pursue a political vendetta. Was he Labour’s Heathcliff?

Please note: this is a ticketed event with a charge of £3 per ticket, to be paid in cash on arrival. Places are limited, so please book yours in advance either through Ticketsource or by contacting Keighley Local Studies (01535 618215, KeighleyLocalStudies@bradford.gov.uk).

A talk by Susan Dunne at Bradford Local Studies Library, on Tuesday 19th May at 11:30am.

Elizabeth Gaskell (1810-1865) was a prolific Victorian novelist known for her social realism and vivid depictions of provincial life. She was also a biographer, her most famous biography being of her friend and fellow author Charlotte Bronte.

In this talk, Susan Dunne gives a fascinating insight into the way Elizabeth Gaskell portrayed Haworth and more widely Yorkshire in her work and how local people responded to this.

Susan Dunne is a journalist, teacher and author of the book ‘Charlotte Bronte and Elizabeth Gaskell.

Contact Bradford Local Studies (01274 433688, local.studies@bradford.gov.uk) for more information or to book a place.