vrijdag 5 november 2010
Haworth Church
The Reverend Peter Mayo-Smith, rector of Haworth, hopes to allow access to the crypt as part of a £1.25 million repair programme at the church.
Mr Mayo-Smith said opening up the crypt could prove a major attraction to fans of the Brontë sisters' writing.
He said: "For people to actually see or feel themselves close to the Brontës would be the most amazing experience."
A plaque in Haworth church is the only sign the Brontës are buried there
Emily Brontë, writer of the torrid love story Wuthering Heights, and Charlotte Brontë, who is perhaps most famous for writing Jane Eyre, are both buried in the crypt under Haworth parish church.
The legendary literary sisters lie alongside other family members who once lived in the nearby parsonage, including their father Patrick and their infamous brother Branwell.
The Reverend Peter Mayo-Smith said the campaign to raise the money needed to repair the church was now underway.
Mr Mayo-Smith said the crypt would need some major work before visitors could be given access.
He explained: "There is a beautiful Victorian arch which at the moment is an absolute mess
"There is a huge oil tank which is redundant and then, on the other side, is where the Brontës are buried."
He said there was huge potential for opening up the crypt so tourists - many of whom come to Haworth from across the world, including from Japan and the United States - could get closer than ever to the final resting place of the two 19th century literary giants.
He said: "Potentially, we don't know yet, we are hoping to be able to see into the crypt where the sisters are buried rather than people just leaving flowers on the marker above."
Mr Mayo-Smith has launched the £1.25 million fundraising campaign, amid hopes that English Heritage might provide half the cash alongside money from Brontë enthusiasts and local businesses.
He said if the big plans for Haworth parish church came to fruition, he hoped they would help boost the economy of the popular tourist village.
He explained: "We want to make sure the church is here for another 150 years.
"If we enhance Haworth church then we can really build something good.
"That will enhance the number of visitors coming into Haworth which has the knock-on effect for all the traders of the village with more income coming into an area which, at times, is struggling."
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Haworth Parish Church
Traders are urging people to support a £1.25 million fundraising project to repair one of the most photographed and visited churches in the world.
They are being rallied to back the project to restore the famous Haworth Parish Church where the Reverend Patrick Bronte, father of the famous Bronte sisters, was in charge until 1861.
The building also houses the crypt where most of the famous literary family is buried. The plight of the church was revealed in yesterday’s Telegraph & Argus.
Mike Hutchinson, chairman of Haworth Village Association, said it was particularly important that help should come from Government sources in these tough financial times.
The project involves repairing the leaking roof, installing a new heating system and re-wiring.
A band of business experts has already volunteered to help steer the fundraising activities by forming a Futures Group. Mr Hutchinson said: “This is an iconic building, a focal point of the village.
“Its importance is crucial to both its religious significance and as a tourist destination. It’s regarded world-wide as the Bronte church.”
Andrew McCarthy, director of the Bronte Parsonage Museum, said: “Haworth’s history and heritage is not simply the Brontes.
“There are other significant aspects of the village’s history and the church has its own heritage as well as its vital connection with the Bronte family. It’s very important the building is taken care of.
“We are supporting the fundraising initiative and despite our own challenges are keen to do anything we can to help.” Haworth Church vicar the Reverend Peter Mayo-Smith said an application had already been made to English Heritage for help.
He said: “We’ll be expected to match fund whatever they may offer. We are among a shortlist of 14 and are hoping to hear the outcome by December.”
Read Here
They are being rallied to back the project to restore the famous Haworth Parish Church where the Reverend Patrick Bronte, father of the famous Bronte sisters, was in charge until 1861.
The building also houses the crypt where most of the famous literary family is buried. The plight of the church was revealed in yesterday’s Telegraph & Argus.
Mike Hutchinson, chairman of Haworth Village Association, said it was particularly important that help should come from Government sources in these tough financial times.
The project involves repairing the leaking roof, installing a new heating system and re-wiring.
A band of business experts has already volunteered to help steer the fundraising activities by forming a Futures Group. Mr Hutchinson said: “This is an iconic building, a focal point of the village.
“Its importance is crucial to both its religious significance and as a tourist destination. It’s regarded world-wide as the Bronte church.”
Andrew McCarthy, director of the Bronte Parsonage Museum, said: “Haworth’s history and heritage is not simply the Brontes.
“There are other significant aspects of the village’s history and the church has its own heritage as well as its vital connection with the Bronte family. It’s very important the building is taken care of.
“We are supporting the fundraising initiative and despite our own challenges are keen to do anything we can to help.” Haworth Church vicar the Reverend Peter Mayo-Smith said an application had already been made to English Heritage for help.
He said: “We’ll be expected to match fund whatever they may offer. We are among a shortlist of 14 and are hoping to hear the outcome by December.”
Read Here
The Ghost of Haworth Station
Haworth Station in the 1880's
Jar Bancroft wrote an article on his blog some time ago about the fatal accident that happened to Binns Bancroft at Haworth Station in 1882, when he was killed by a coal train at Haworth Station.
Was this the end of Binns Bancroft?....maybe not!