BRONTË Society president Bonnie Greer has pledged to work with Haworth organisations and local politicians on future projects.

She this week told the Keighley News that such partnerships would help make the most of three upcoming Brontë bicentenaries.

Over the next six years the society will celebrate the 200th anniversaries of all three Brontë sisters’ births, beginning with Charlotte in 2016.

The bicentennial celebrations will centre on Haworth’s Brontë Parsonage Museum, which the society runs.

Ms Greer, a playwright and novelist, said she and her Advisory Group hoped to team up with whoever wanted to work with them on the “exciting” events.

She said this was an expression of her support for the Brontë Society Council, museum staff and leadership team.

She added “This is also an expression of support for those who are looking towards the future - and not back at the past - as we build towards a key cultural event.”

Ms Greer made her comments following a turbulent few months for the Brontë Society as its members clashed over the direction of the 120-year-old organisation.

Some critics demanded the society work more closely with the Haworth community.

Ms Greer subsequently set up her advisory group with expert members including a BBC Radio director, and said she hoped to add a handful of local residents and.

She said she wanted to boost visitor numbers to Haworth and “make it buzz all year round”.

John Huxley, chairman of Haworth, Stanbury and Cross Roads Parish Council, welcomed the chance to work with the Brontë Society and Ms Greer for the good of the village.

But he pointed out that in recent years the Brontës had been joined by other major attractions in the village, such as the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, Haworth Festival and the 1940s weekend.

He said: “Everything needs to be integrated. A vibrant Brontë Society working in conjunction with other event organisers in the community would obviously be an asset.”