A MUSEUM in the district will be opening its doors for Christmas for the final time this weekend in one of a number of events taking place across Bradford.

Elsewhere in the district this weekend, Haworth will be lit up by a procession of torches, and one of the nation’s best loved children’s books and films will be brought to life on ice.

Christmas is coming to Red House Museum in Gomersal this weekend for the final time as the period house is due to close its doors in just under a fortnight.

The Friends of Red House are busy helping staff to prepare for the last major event - Red House at Christmas, which takes place on Sunday.

The house will be decorated as it might have been in the 1830s, when Charlotte Bronte was a regular visitor.

There will be a traditional kissing ball hanging in the hall, as well as performances from the Nonsuch Dulcimers, Honley Brass Band and the local community choir.

Jacqueline Ryder, chairman of the Friends of Red House, said: “This will be a bittersweet occasion for so many people, knowing that the museum will close to the public on 21 December.

“But the Friends and staff are determined to make the event one to remember.

“The afternoon will close with carol singing and fireworks.”

Red House Christmas will be open between noon and 4pm.

A decision was taken by Kirklees Council in October to close Red House and another museum due to budget cuts.

The Grade II-listed 17th-century cloth merchant’s home was frequently visited by Charlotte Bronte and was featured in her novel, Shirley.

In Haworth, the atmospheric torchlight weekend is taking place in Main Street.

Tomorrow there will be a carol parade at 3pm at the foot of the Haworth Church steps, where people can sing Christmas carols and listen to traditional festive music.

On Sunday the torchlight procession will begin at 4.30pm from beside the Christmas tree in Main Street.

Residents and visitors can walk up the cobbled Main Street together carrying candlelit torches and singing carols.

The procession is followed by a traditional candlelit carol service in Haworth Parish Church.

At Bradford Ice Arena, a cast of more than 50 will be putting on Mary Poppins on Ice tomorrow and Sunday night.

The show will start at 5.30pm each night and tickets, which cost £5 for adults and £3 for children, will be available on the door each night.

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