Overlooking the serene South Bay, nestled among the ageing headstones in what is now partly a car park, is the burial place of one of England’s great literary heroines.
However, the passing of time left Anne Bronte’s grave at St Mary’s Church almost undetectable, with weather scarring the headstone as crumbling chunks of lettering fell from the frontage. The decaying dedication posed a dilemma for The Bronte Society, which wanted to preserve the grave but not disturb the tribute that had been put in place by Anne’s sister Charlotte. The resolution was to place a new plaque at the site of the grave, carrying the wording of the original headstone as well as the correction of a few mistakes. To mark the installion of the interpretive plaque members of The Bronte Society travelled from far and wide for a dedication and blessing service at the Scarborough church, paying respect to the author famous for writing Agnes Grey and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. Led by the Rev Martin Dunning, the service featured prayers and readings of several of Anne’s works by members of the Society.
Speaking from the graveside following the service, Sally McDonald, chairman of The Bronte Society’s council, said: “Today is the culmination of several years of decision work about what to do to make sure that the headstone is preserved but that the grave isn’t disturbed. Read on: bronteblog/it-is-pleasure-to-honour-her-in-this
This is a blog about the Bronte Sisters, Charlotte, Emily and Anne. And their father Patrick, their mother Maria and their brother Branwell. About their pets, their friends, the parsonage (their house), Haworth the town in which they lived, the moors they loved so much, the Victorian era in which they lived.
It's wonderful this was done. The new slab is beautiful. It's touching Charlotte had a stone with a book installed for Anne and the grave is facing the bay.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenHello Geri! So happy about this wonderful solution to Anne's headstone dilemma, now everyone can relax, and her written memory will be forever preserved without worry of fading away.I think Charlotte would have been very pleased.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenI just finished Juliet Barker's 'The Bronte's'...amazing book. I loved so much reading the story of Patrick and Maria's life together, such detail, it was astounding how much information was in there...so well done. Have you read it yet? Im gearing up for Anne's 'Tenant of Wildfell Hall' next, for the emotional rollercoaster it will I'm sure bring on.
Best to you...
xoxo J~