Keighley

The Mother of the Brontës

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A large audience at Keighley Local Studies Library on Saturday 18th January was treated to a wonderful talk by author, journalist and screenwriter Sharon Wright about her recent publication: ‘The Mother of the Brontës.

Sharon Wight display

 

It was a joy to welcome Sharon back to Keighley where she started her journalistic career at the Keighley News.

Sharon Wright library steps

In the talk Sharon shared her journey of discoveries about the mysterious Mrs Brontë through her thorough original research which took her to many locations from Cornwall to West Yorkshire. The historical detail and the compassion for the Cornish gentlewoman who fell in love with the poor Irish curate Patrick Brontë and gave birth to 6 children was enlightening. The joy of finding new discoveries in the story of Maria Branwell was an inspiration.

Sharon wright talk

‘The Mother of the Brontës: when Maria met Patrick’ is published by Pen and Sword, ISBN: 978-1526738486

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Brontë Images: 116 Years of Brontë Studies

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To facilitate exploration of local history and the Brontë family, the Keighley Local Studies Library now has a catalogue file of all images that have appeared in its bound editions of the Brontë Society’s Transactions and Journals from 1898 through to 2014. This means that it is possible to find, for example, a facsimile of a letter written by Patrick Brontë, or a pen sketch of the Black Bull pub by Arthur North, given the name of the author or item.

This collection comprises over 1000 Brontë related images, including familiar ones that may be found on exhibition at the Brontë Parsonage Museum, as well as others of interest such as photographs of extended family members, charts of family genealogy, pictures of places that may have featured in their novels, andgeographical locations that hold the Brontë name (e.g. Brontë, Texas).

There are also pictures of Brontë Society members, who have appeared over the years,
including Butler Wood, the Society’s first editor and Bradford’s Chief Librarian 1887-1925, international members as far away as China, and visiting dignitaries to the Parsonage Museum, such as James Roosevelt, son of U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt, whose family was connected to the Butterfields in Keighley.

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The Keighley Local Studies Library of Bradford Council is opened Monday-Saturday and is located at the Keighley Library, an historic Andrew Carnegie Library on North Street,
Keighley BD21 3SX.

Email: keighleylocalstudies@bradford.gov.uk
Phone: 01535 618215

Mary E. Adamson
Library Volunteer and Brontë Society Member

Keighley Library Heritage Open Day 2018

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Keighley Library celebrated Heritage Day on Saturday 15th September 2018 with a feast of history and culture celebrating local heritage, community and history. The day was a roaring success with something for everyone in the mix.

Billy Barton from legendary Keighley band Dawnwatcher took us back to the 1970’s and the new 1970’s Musical Heritage exhibition was launched.

Billy Barton talk 4

Billy Barton

Malcolm Hanson told the story of  the Civil War  and local people’s heroic stand. It is a most uplifting story!

Malcolm's talk 3

Malcolm Hanson

Historian Robin Longbottom gave a fascinating and  informative talk about the boundary stones based on his new publication.

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Robin Longbottom

History Societies exhibiting included Keighley and District Family History Society, Keighley and District Local History Society, Men of Worth project and Keighley Model Railway Club all with a wealth of information about the local heritage.

The highlight of the day for many was live music from Keighley band ‘Howlin’ Johnny and the Devil’s Rejects’ who had the audience on their feet and the building rocking to the rafters.

A comment from the Visitors book:

Comments book

‘Howlin’ Johnny brought the house down, people stood, clapped and sang to give a good time feel to Keighley. Skiffle, Rock and Blues mixed to perfection; and to end with thunderous applause.’

The 1970’s exhibition will be up in the library until the end of October.

There are still  opportunities to hear Malcolm Hanson’s Civil War talk in libraries on the following dates:

Saturday September 22nd, 2.00pm, Denholme Library
Saturday September 29th, 2.00pm, Eccleshill Library
Saturday October 6th, 2.00pm, Bingley Library
Saturday October 13th, 2.00pm, Shipley Library
Saturday October 20th, 2.00pm, Bradford Local Studies Library
Saturday 27th October, 2.00pm, Ilkley Library
Saturday 3rd November, 2.00pm Wyke Library

October 1642. ‘When the battle began, the Royalist Commanders laughed at Bradford’s rabble army, but help for Bradford was at hand.’ Join Local historian Malcolm Hanson as he  brings to life this story of great heroism. These are free events. No booking required.

Parkwood School Then and Now!

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What a joyful way to spend a Thursday afternoon, listening to the sound of children singing, making music and having a right good time! On Thursday 19th July, Gina Birdsall and I were invited to Parkwood School to watch them perform their end of year show. This kind invite was extended to us, due to our help with their World War One Project.

Last month some of the Year 5 pupils came into to Keighley Library to look, first hand at some of our archive material. The children had the opportunity to study and discuss photographs and original documents covering issues such as: food rationing, refugees, entertainment, and the experiences of injured soldiers at the Keighley War Hospitals, using material from the Brigg collection (BK10) and the Herbert France Collection (BK424) and with help from other local groups.

Gertie and Paul, from Whitworks Adventures in Theatre (WAT) who focus on bringing history to life using drama, writing, local stories and primary sources with children in school and community groups, worked with the children as part of their Heritage Lottery Funded Project:  ‘Park Wood Then and Now’, the children’s hard work has been put into a wonderful booklet which we were pleased to receive copies of for the Library.

parkwood

The school show saw the culmination of the children’s hard work over the year. We were treated to the Year 5 pupils singing two songs from the World War 1 era ‘It’s a long way to Tipperary’ and ‘Pack up your troubles’. The children’s enthusiasm was infectious and by the end of the show everyone was joining in.

Angela Speight

Emily Jane Brontë – 200th year celebrations of her birth

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The years of Brontë anniversary celebrations continue in to 2018 with the 200th anniversary of Emily Jane Brontë’s birth on 30th July 1818. Emily is probably the most controversial sister of the three to survive into adulthood and be published. Whereas Charlotte’s and Anne’s characters and influences are more clearly defined and documented by themselves and their contemporaries, still little is known of Emily’s inner life and full and true character, despite gleanings from her sisters’ observations and their associates. Wuthering Heights, Emily’s only published novel, similarly continues to confound and disturb readers and literary critics alike, while her poetry is much admired and reflects the truest love of Haworth’s moorland and its natural world.

This year will see some wonderful celebrations of Emily’s life and works in film, music, talks, tours and moorland walks, including the launch of the Brontë Stones, a unique celebration of the Brontë’s legacy. Check out  the Brontë Society, and Parsonage Museum’s fabulous events and workshops will continue throughout the year, please see:  www.bronte.org.uk/whats-on

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Nowhere can compete with the Brontë Society Collections, Museum and Parsonage Library in Haworth  but Keighley Local Studies Library is proud to be Bradford Council’s repository for a very important collection of books, articles and news cuttings, including a small archive on the Brontës and Haworth in general. In these anniversary years, the Library is adding to this with newly published works reflecting contemporary scholarship and the latest research, with book stock for both reference and for loan. (Please see list of new books below) We also have a new fact sheet on Emily Brontë and this accompanies the full booklet about the Brontë collection and other leaflets celebrating the Brontë family and their contacts in the local area, please see:

www.bradford.gov.uk/libraries/local-and-family-history to download  free copies  or better still, call into Keighley Library to pick up a copy and see the collection for yourself. The library is open daily from 9am until 7pm and on Saturdays 9 am-5 pm, closed Sundays.

Telephone: 01535 618215; email: keighleylocalstudies@bradford.gov.uk

Emily Bronte New Books