OUR AMAZING year of celebrating Emily Brontë is drawing to a close, which means we’re getting festive here at the museum! But first, I have exciting news about our new audio project with award-winning folk band The Unthanks.

Ten poems of Emily Brontë have been set to music by composer and pianist Adrian McNally and recorded by The Unthanks. The songs were composed on Emily’s piano, and recorded in the historic rooms of the Parsonage late at night earlier this year.

The song cycle of ten poems is called Shall Earth No More Inspire Thee and offers visitors the chance to follow in Emily’s footsteps up on to nearby Penistone Hill. After looking round the museum, visitors can collect their audio sets and head off through the churchyard and up on the moors for a circular walk accompanied by the poetry of Emily Brontë and the music of The Unthanks.

This unique experience begins the week beginning December 17 and runs until March, and is free with entrance to the museum. Places on this special experience are limited so we advise visitors to reserve headsets via our website.

And turning to festivities, the museum will be dressed for the Christmas season for our Late Night Thursday on December 13, so join us for a glass of sherry and the opportunity to buy some last minute Christmas gifts. As always, on our late night Thursdays, after 5pm entry is free to visitors providing proof of residence in BD22, BD21, BD20 or Thornton.

We will be closed between January 2 and February 3 for our annual closed period, where we conduct an early spring clean, carry out any essential maintenance work, and change the exhibits to reflect our focus for 2019 (the father of the Brontës, Reverend Patrick Bronte – more on that next time!).

We have programmed some events for the depths of winter. On January 14 there is a film screening at West Lane Baptist Centre of the 1946 Hollywood film Devotion which retells the story of the Brontë family in true Hollywood style. Admission is free, and there’s no need to book, just come along for a start time of 1pm.

In January 19 at 11am and 2pm we have the return of ‘Parsonage Wrapped: Behind the Scenes at the Museum’, where visitors get the chance to see how we go about carrying out vital conservation and cleaning work and update our displays and exhibitions. Numbers are limited, so don’t delay in booking. Tickets cost £25/£22.50. Brontë fans of course!

We’ve also programmed our popular ‘Winter Wander’ walk on February 2. Join our Museum Guides at 11 am or 2pm to hear about the stories and secrets of the village Mr Brontë would have known. Tickets cost £6/£4 and are available via bronte.org.uk/whats-on or by calling 01535 640192.