Haworth village baffled at outdoor sex claim (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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Residents of Bronte Country are puzzled by a paper’s article about ‘fresh-air frolics'
7:00am Tuesday 9th October 2012 in News
By Chris Tate, T&A Reporter
John Huxley in a car park overlooking Stanbury
Claims that Bronte Country is a magnet for fans of al fresco love have left locals in bewildered disbelief.
A national newspaper ran a two-page article on Sunday which said its reporter had witnessed “lust-crazed couples invading the moors around the parish of Haworth for bawdy fresh-air frolics”.
It stated that so-called “doggers” – people who enjoy sex with strangers in car parks – were drawn like Cathy’s ghost to the moors for after-dark assignations in lay-bys and pull-ins.
But the claims have been met with puzzlement from local councillors and the Bronte Society, while police said they had received no reports of the activity in the area.
Bradford Councillor Glen Miller (Con, Worth Valley) said: “I’ve been the local elected representative for 14 years and never once has a resident, businessman, worker, walker or car park user ever contacted me about such ‘bawdy fresh-air frolics’.
“I’ve been more concerned with complaints about clamping in car parks.”
National tabloid journalist turned Haworth Parish Council chairman John Huxley dared to question the veracity of the Sunday paper’s probe.
“It looks like a figment of somebody’s imagination to me,” laughed Mr Huxley. “I’ve heard most things, but never this. I have regular meetings with community police and such behaviour has never been mentioned. But if there was such a problem, I’m sure the police would know and sort it out.”
Sergeant Chris Watson, of Bingley and Worth Valley Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We are not aware of any reports. However, we would encourage anyone with any concerns or information to contact the Neighbourhood Policing Team and we will investigate.”
In the article, the theme of the Bronte sisters’ literary magic wove its way through the paper’s racey prose.
Having correctly said literary lovers flock to Haworth, home of the famous sisters, it then revealed that: “When night falls, the deserted country roads lure sexual thrill-seekers.” The article promised to expose some of the “nocturnal nookie” taking place in a car park near the Bronte waterfalls.
A woman, identified only as “Sam”, was reported to have said: “I’ve read Wuthering Heights a few times and the thought of being out on the moor with a fella like Heathcliff really gets my blood running (sic).”
But it was the literary reference to Heathcliff which left the Bronte Society’s Ann Dinsdale shocked.
“I find it very hard to believe anyone who had actually read Wuthering Heights ‘a few times’ could view Heathcliff as a romantic figure,” said Ann. “I’m not too sure about this story, but it makes a change from wheel-clampers,” she laughed.
Comments(23)
angry bradfordian
says...
11:12am Tue 9 Oct 12
I'm not sure why anybody would know about it if it was going on. Who would be out in the Stanbury Car Park after dark for any reason other than 'frolics'?
I can't see a problem with it. Nobody's complained, so nobody can have been affected by it and I'm sure that the police have better things to do.
It sounds more like Rita, Sue & Bob rather than Cathy and Heathcliff!
A Casual Observer
says...
11:51am Tue 9 Oct 12
Prisoner Cell Block A
says...
12:00pm Tue 9 Oct 12
johnhem
says...
12:36pm Tue 9 Oct 12
Joedavid wrote:we have a councillor concerned about clamping complaints? bandwagon again i think. wake up miller, park properly and don't overstay.. no clamping, easy as that. get on with real issues for once and stop playing to the crowd. anyone that can't follow the rules deserves clamping, its no different to doing 50mph in a 40mph zone and getting a fine from a speed camera, both wrong and EARNED by the driver.
Bradford Councillor Glen Miller (Con, Worth Valley) said: “I’ve been the local elected representative for 14 years and never once has a resident, businessman, worker, walker or car park user ever contacted me about such ‘bawdy fresh-air frolics’.
“I’ve been more concerned with complaints about clamping in car parks.”
No wonder Bradford district in such a mess if this is all the chap as bothered about in 14 years.
itsakasi
says...
12:53pm Tue 9 Oct 12
?
LovingItLive
says...
1:52pm Tue 9 Oct 12
The amount of innocent looking people parked up waiting for nightfall, We've caught a few people at it in the past. It gives us something to laugh about in the pub with the post ride pint
BD16
says...
2:55pm Tue 9 Oct 12
Is that a euphemism Mr Huxley?
Respect For All
says...
3:39pm Tue 9 Oct 12
BD16 wrote::D
“I’ve been more concerned with complaints about clamping in car parks.”
Is that a euphemism Mr Huxley?
Not sure which is worse. The night-time fiddlers..or those watching the fiddling...;)
A Casual Observer
says...
4:38pm Tue 9 Oct 12
Respect For All wrote:Or those watching those watching the fiddling.
BD16 wrote::D
“I’ve been more concerned with complaints about clamping in car parks.”
Is that a euphemism Mr Huxley?
Not sure which is worse. The night-time fiddlers..or those watching the fiddling...;)
A Casual Observer
says...
4:38pm Tue 9 Oct 12
itsakasi wrote:Summerscales?
anyone know a good supplier of night vision goggles in the Haworth area
?
A Casual Observer
says...
4:40pm Tue 9 Oct 12
LovingItLive wrote:Post-ride pint? I thought it was traditional to smoke a cig.
Cold Edge Road above Wharley Moor Reservoir is a notorious area for this from sunset onwards. It always makes me chuckle when up there on an evening on the mountain bike.
The amount of innocent looking people parked up waiting for nightfall, We've caught a few people at it in the past. It gives us something to laugh about in the pub with the post ride pint
BigFigure
says...
4:52pm Tue 9 Oct 12
sam-tyler
says...
5:29pm Tue 9 Oct 12
Consenting adults, well out of the way, what's the problem?
legallyblonde
says...
6:39pm Tue 9 Oct 12
ShineyDave
says...
7:41pm Tue 9 Oct 12
Errrrrrrrrrrrrr
So they tell me ..................
Walruss
says...
7:56pm Tue 9 Oct 12
Prisoner Cell Block A wrote:Nipple clamping - LOL !!!!!!
There is after dark frolicking ongoing, nipple clamping.
Don't give Ted any ideas.
I wonder if they need a snack bar or something.
I might take up a hot-dogging stand!
Boom-tish !!!
ollie59
says...
9:37pm Tue 9 Oct 12
Keighley Watch
says...
12:35pm Wed 10 Oct 12
Patrick Bateman
says...
9:00pm Wed 10 Oct 12
stiflers mom
says...
4:19pm Thu 11 Oct 12
stiflers mom
says...
4:28pm Thu 11 Oct 12
stiflers mom
says...
4:28pm Thu 11 Oct 12
Joedavid says...
10:44am Tue 9 Oct 12
“I’ve been more concerned with complaints about clamping in car parks.”
No wonder Bradford district in such a mess if this is all the chap as bothered about in 14 years.