Heathcliff meets his Cathy

(Click on any picture to start the slideshow. Photographs by Tony Caunt LRPS)

The Rotary Club of Bradford West, along with the The Bronte Birthplace Community Ownership Campaign, put on an afternoon tea "par excellence" on Sunday 20th August 2023. This was held to raise funds for the campaign’s ambitious project to purchase and restore the Bronte birthplace building at 72-74 Market Street Thornton. See their Facebook page here. 

56 people attended the tea party at the home of our member Sarah Dixon and  a grand total of £1,553 was raised on a beautiful sunny day. Sarah’s house was visited regularly by the Bronte’ sisters and was built in 1795.  Members of our club provided the wonderful sandwiches, cakes, scones, cream and jam to give everyone a tea to remember. 

Historical facts about the famous sisters were provided by Steve Stanworth, who introduced “Heathcliff” as he recalled his part in “Wuthering Heights,” and out of the audience Heathcliff met with “his Cathy.” Heathcliff was played by Alex Fellowes and Cathy was played by Hannah Madim  

The purchase of 72-74 Market Street will give visitors to Thornton a further insight into the historical significance of The Brontes, along with the historic Bronte Bell Chapel, where Patrick Bronte gave his sermons, as Bradford readies itself to become the UK City of Culture in 2025.