Bronte family helps launch book

Thank you, if you're still reading along, Kate Bower, for sending us the news about this book last year! Kate, a descendent of Alice McClory, mother of Patrick Bronte and grandmother of the Bronte sisters, had first tipped us off that Imelda Marsden was writing this book. Kate also shared her story and thoughts on Rose Ann Heslip, cousin of the Bronte sisters in a special Brontëana post here.

From dewsbury today:

DESCENDANTS of the Bronte family helped launch a book about the literary sisters' father written by a former Dewsbury Reporter editor.

The Father of the Brontes was written by WW Yates in 1897, and has been out of print for decades. But Mirfield Bronte enthusiast and Spen Valley Civic Society member Imelda Marsden has resurrected the book, complete with new material from her own research.

The book was launched at the Healds Hall Hotel in Liversedge – a suitable venue for the occasion as it featured in Charlotte's novel Shirley as the home of the Rev Matthew Helstone.Among the guests were Carol Bronte and Margaret Thompson – both Bronte descendants who travelled from their home in Northern Ireland for the occasion. Carol brought along an array of crafts which are being produced by Brontes in the 21st century. Imelda said the launch had gone really well with copies now gracing the shelves of universities in Japan and America.

"We've even got one at Harvard!" she said.

"We're really pleased with it and it all helps put North Kirklees on the Bronte map. So much of the Bronte story is naturally about Haworth, but this area is steeped in Bronte history as well and we want to shout about it."

Imelda said that during the launch event, the idea of twinning North Kirklees with the Emdale and Newry area of Northern Ireland, where the Brontes came from, had been mooted.

Copies of The Father of the Brontes are available from the Spenborough Guardian office at 1 Market Street, Cleckheaton, the Dewsbury Reporter office in Wellington Road, Red House Museum in Gomersal and Oakwell Hall in Birstall. They cost £14.99 with profits going to Holly Bank School, Mirfield.Do you think a twinning scheme would be beneficial to North Kirklees? Contact the Spenborough Guardian at margaret.heward@ywng.co.uk and we will pass your views on to Imelda.