Woman denies living as Bronte (From Keighley News)
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Woman denies living as Bronte
9:50am Sunday 18th December 2011 in News By Keighley News reporter
Lyn-Marie Cunliffe with one of the dresses she designed. Inset, Charlotte Bronte
A woman has rejected claims that she is living as Charlotte Bronte.
Stories recently published in national and international newspapers alleged dressmaker Lyn-Marie Cunliffe, of Oxenhope, “lived in a time-warp” and spent her days dressed as the famous literary figure. The 49-year-old, who gives talks to schools and nursing homes and attends events in historical dress, was pictured in a fast-food restaurant and shopping wearing late Victorian dress.
She said she had been told the article – by a news agency – would be about tourism and her business Abigails Ateliers. She said: “I have spent three years building up my business and now I am afraid it is ruined.
“I spent a lot of time building up my online presence and now when you put my name into a search engine there is a story about a crazy lady who thinks she is Charlotte Bronte. I don’t believe anyone would want to employ me now.”
Mrs Cunliffe, whose interest in historical costume was sparked after she completed a history degree, has hand-made 50 dresses, including medieval, Tudor and Edwardian gowns.
She was employed for three years in Haworth to entertain tourists and dressed as Jane Eyre for the Bronte Parsonage to promote the recently released film of the same name. She said her authentic dresses could take up to two hours to put on and take off, meaning she sometimes did her shopping on the way home from work without getting changed.
The mother-of-two said she did not spend leisure time dressed as any historical character.
“The story says I do the school run dressed as Charlotte Bronte,” she said. “My children are 23 and 27 and I don’t drive so why would I say that. I also don’t call my husband Mr Rochester and I don’t spend my time reading romantic fiction.”
Ann Dinsdale, of the Bronte Parsonage Museum, said: “I think it is great she is so passionate about what she does. She is quite knowledgeable about Bronte costume and extremely pleasant. The stories won’t affect us working with her in the future.”
Comments(33)
jimmy k
says...
8:47pm Sun 18 Dec 11
oxenhope woman slams ridiculous rumours........
Stevo54
says...
11:19pm Sun 18 Dec 11
r.beale
says...
8:30am Mon 19 Dec 11
Little Green Man
says...
9:26am Mon 19 Dec 11
jimmy k
says...
11:26am Mon 19 Dec 11
r.beale
says...
1:56pm Mon 19 Dec 11
Little Green Man
says...
2:14pm Mon 19 Dec 11
jimmy k
says...
3:40pm Mon 19 Dec 11
Little Green Man
says...
4:24pm Mon 19 Dec 11
jimmy k
says...
9:46pm Mon 19 Dec 11
jonny2times
says...
3:32pm Wed 21 Dec 11
samuels david
says...
10:25pm Wed 21 Dec 11
Some wonderful people are indeed stigmatised as crazy because of the need to help others, less fortunate as Lyn does.
Other people enjoy being nasty to those who help others, some don’t, it’s the way the world is!
David Samuels
David Samuels
jonny2times
says...
7:51pm Thu 22 Dec 11
samuels david
says...
11:16am Fri 23 Dec 11
To all, split personality or not, charitable or not, generous or not, good or bad, even those of differing sexual balances, those who have political deviations’ of all dimensions, ego maniacs and social climbers, the so-called intelligent and the unintelligent, friends and foes,(I realise you will not agree with me but foes I have in abundance!) the rich and poor, religious or not, and not forgetting all Keighley Town Councillors and members of staff at the Bow Street headquarters, the Seasons Greeting to you all and may 2012 bring to you all you rightly deserve.
DAVID SAMUELS.
jonny2times
says...
1:29pm Fri 23 Dec 11
Stevo54
says...
1:39pm Fri 23 Dec 11
Raining cats and dogs in Boston MA today but supposed to cool down and be seasonal weather wise starting tomorrow.
I managed to get hold of a nice bit of Wensleydale at the local Wholefoods store last night, paid through the nose obviously but it will go down nice with a glass of port.
Take care.
Stevo out.
Stevo54
says...
1:39pm Fri 23 Dec 11
Raining cats and dogs in Boston MA today but supposed to cool down and be seasonal weather wise starting tomorrow.
I managed to get hold of a nice bit of Wensleydale at the local Wholefoods store last night, paid through the nose obviously but it will go down nice with a glass of port.
Take care.
Stevo out.
Stevo54
says...
1:41pm Fri 23 Dec 11
Raining cats and dogs in Boston MA today but supposed to cool down and be seasonal weather wise starting tomorrow.
I managed to get hold of a nice bit of Wensleydale at the local Wholefoods store last night, paid through the nose obviously but it will go down nice with a glass of port.
Take care.
Stevo out.
jimmy k
says...
8:16pm Fri 23 Dec 11
jonny2times
says...
3:27am Sat 24 Dec 11
samuels david
says...
11:51am Sat 24 Dec 11
I work, unpaid, for a charitable group headed up by a majority of good Asian friends in the Keighley community, who know I’m not racist in any way.
My heterosexual and homosexual friends and relatives know of the lies and innuendoes, which emanate from KTC, a situation which I have stated over the years needs looking into.
I believe the so-called jonny2times could just be another alias, maybe once good friend who I firmly believe has developed into a pathological liar and has been, in my view, delusional for a number of years.
For the record: I brought up in abject poverty with no formal education.
A higher standard of living would be nice.
My inadequate old age pension and high-energy cost would not allow the extravagance of alcohol or caviar, even at Christmas time.
Fortunately, I never drink alcohol or eat caviar and do not have friends in such circles.
Having no political allegiances, I live only to fight for true equality for all in society, race, religion, and as a ratepayer, I seek full transparency and democracy in KTC.
It will come of course, as I am a firm believer that good always overcomes evil and within KTC, those who are now in control will be outed.
To the Mayor and all members of KTC, have a nice Christmas.
PS At my age, I most certainly would not wish for a trampoline.
David Samuels
r.beale
says...
11:59am Sat 24 Dec 11
jonny2times wrote:Just when I thought the standard of these posts were improving.
jimmy k…. aim so glad you see, David Samuels comments as, well a, “ hat trick”. But I would have to disagree. See the thing is, David is clearly, very upper-class. Probably is about 40-50, has been to university, and works at the, town hall. I’ve only been here for least than a week. Personally I would not report his quotes. Reporting him would only be a form of fascism. You have to remember, Opinions are like nipples, everybody has one. The only deferens is that, David was probably spoon feed at a younger age, which is why he is very, conservative. I mean think about it. What type of person wants his enemies to be, mentally handicapped? I would rather my “enemies” be witty and intelligent. Get my point? Also note that, David use is the term, the rich and poor, religious or not. He clearly has to work in some kind of job which involves, dealing with the poor and ethnic back -grounds. I must say, Highcroft Gardens is a very nice inlet off thwaites brow, everybody has a trampoline. One day I hope to own a, trampoline. Maybe I can get a job working for the, government. I just hope that David can put his; racist upper-class perspective on life behind him so we can go, driving on the moon with Elvis Presley.
If you do not know it, David Samuels and his wife Joyce worked & saved all their lives, when I first met this remarkable man he and Joyce had a grocery & off licence, opening early & closing late,
What a load of rubbish jonny 2 I did not think that you would resort to that !
Unlike the Town Council who he so often criticises, working in a business Dave learned like myself that you can not afford to waste, and spend money foolishly, the lesson some Euro zone governments have not learned.
D.S. Is decent honest man by any standards. A great person to know, a privilege to be a friend although we do not always see eye to eye
A Merry Christmas & New Year to all
r.beale
says...
12:39pm Sat 24 Dec 11
I do not usually take much notice of this web site. I think children could teach you a few lessens in behaviour and manners.
Mr Samuels,whom I know and respect, has the honesty to use his own name and I would suggest has more integrity and morals than many who hide behind pseudonyms.
GERALDINE STACK (not R.Beale)
jimmy k
says...
3:25pm Sat 24 Dec 11
jonny2times
says...
3:57pm Sat 24 Dec 11
samuels david
says...
5:24pm Sat 24 Dec 11
This will be my last posting in the Keighley News and its website.
Due to the fact that the recently formed Keighley Authority Reform Group is strong enough to campaign for the original aims of the Aire-Worth Reform Association of frankness, integrity and full openness in local governance my own contributions are to be merged with those of a younger and more vibrant voice of those seeking less glitter but more robust delivery as once promised, but dnied by KTC.
David Samuels (The floor, empty, is all yours 'Tony' and 'friends'.)
samuels david
says...
5:30pm Sat 24 Dec 11
The Keighley Authority Reform Group can be seen in the new year on face book, I contribute to the page only as a humble member.
DS
jimmy k
says...
5:55pm Sat 24 Dec 11
jonny2times
says...
7:01pm Sat 24 Dec 11
jimmy k
says...
10:54pm Sat 24 Dec 11
r.beale wrote:you know thinking more about it r.beale i laughed at he obvious slip up you made, but then reading your post back you dare have a go at people for using pseudonyms(which by the way i don't)and then you make up a woman's name to back up you're point,you sir are a hypocrite at least have the decency to come on here and admit what you've done.
Have you not got anything to do this Christmas, but bicker and back stab, and may I add, not have the courage to do it in your own name. I do not usually take much notice of this web site. I think children could teach you a few lessens in behaviour and manners. Mr Samuels,whom I know and respect, has the honesty to use his own name and I would suggest has more integrity and morals than many who hide behind pseudonyms. GERALDINE STACK (not R.Beale)
samuels david
says...
12:01am Sun 25 Dec 11
I find the stupidity of the latest remarks by the astonishing jimmy k, laughable.
Maybe ‘Tony’ should have told you who Cllr Stack is jimmy k!
I will try to keep away until Jan 2012, but please no more silly mistakes.
To the friends of KTC. You have lost the battle to suppress free speech.
What you have archived is the strong formation of a small group of honest citizens who will create, in time, a Town Authority we in Keighley can be proud of.
No thieves or liars and importantly, a Council which is 100% open and above board with all ratepayers.
Aire-Worth Reform had a small number of supporters to start with, now because of your actions and comments on line, creating a revulsion for KTC we have ten times the support than Aire-Worth ever had, so ‘Tony’ and friends, thank you for making this happen.
David Samuels: on behalf of the Keighley Authority Reform Group
jonny2times
says...
2:05am Sun 25 Dec 11
samuels david says...
12:57pm Sun 18 Dec 11
1 Highcroft Gardens
Keighley
BD21 4UZ
01535 608427
Mobil 07795673833
Email davidsamuels@blueyon
der.co.uk
17th December 2011
Keighley News
North Street
Keighley
Letter to the Editor
Sir.
Having known the most unassuming Mrs Cunliffe of Oxenhope and her lovely family for nearly twenty years the report by a news agency that she has delusions or is in any way theatrical regarding Charlotte Bronte would be ludicrous if it wasn’t so hilariously funny.
Finding suitable printable words to describe the stupidity of this story is causing me to have doubts about the sanity of those who promoted what must be the most laughable story since it was reported Elvis Presley was seen driving over the moon etc. (Was it the same news agency who wrote both the Presley and Cunliffe stories?)
Still, I must acknowledge whoever dreamed up this small piece of drama will bring tourists not only to Haworth but also to Oxenhope, if only to seek out Mrs Cunliffe and her family.
By the way, the Mrs Cunliffe I know really looks a lot younger than this newspaper has shown and the lady has made me a jolly good cup of tea each week for many a year, but sadly is always dressed in the styles of today.
David Samuels