HERE at the Parsonage we’re all drawing breath after a very busy but rewarding Bronte Society Festival Weekend.

Society members were treated to a varied programme of events throughout the weekend, spanning comedy, walks, talks, and lectures.

The icing on the cake for me was a lively and passionate debate on Saturday night about Charlotte Bronte’s novels Jane Eyre and Villette.

The wonderful actress Maxine Peake stood in at the last minute, and it was lovely to have her; she hung around on Sunday to enjoy one of our Museum Treasures tours, much to the delight of museum staff.

Also gracing the Parsonage steps this month was celebrity chef Rick Stein, who very kindly allowed us to run upstairs to fetch a camera, and request his autograph in our visitors’ book!

Who knows who we’ll see next?

We’re all sad that Sally Wainwright and her wonderful production team no longer need to visit, as filming To Walk Invisible is now complete, and the fantastic Parsonage on Penistone Hill is being dismantled as I write.

We enjoyed a day at half-term when the museum closed an hour earlier than usual, so filming could take place in the Parsonage garden and in the shop.

A few staff members appeared as extras, so we’re looking forward to seeing their television debuts later in the year.

Those visitors who chose to visit the week after half-term were fortunate enough to be able to watch the filming outside the Black Bull in Haworth, where horses and church bells featured as part of the action!

As we all recover from our Summer Festival weekend, we have another busy one looming in the form of our Poetry at the Parsonage weekend on July 2 and 3. Contemporary poets from all over the North are descending on the Parsonage to entertain, inform, inspire!

The event is free to all; there is no need to purchase a museum ticket – just turn up with family and friends and enjoy the entertainment.

The poets will pop up in various venues around Haworth – West Lane Baptist Church, Haworth Old School Room, the Parsonage garden and meadow. If the sun is shining, bring a picnic and make a day of it

If your poetic aspirations are more serious than mine, and you’d like to interact with a practitioner and get some tips, then we also have workshops you can book (details and cost on the website).

If you were planning on a trip to the museum anyway, and you have children in tow, then we have family-friendly writing workshops happening in the museum, whereby you can try your hand at writing tiny books similar to the ones produced by the Bronte children.

The workshop is included in the admission price.

Also coming up in July is the very popular Tuesday free talk, late night Thursday opening, and Friday evening’s Parsonage Unwrapped event, and when next I write, the school holidays will have arrived!

We’re planning short talks, walks, trails, hands on history sessions, and more... check out the website for up-to-date info.