Catherine Rayner MA is a trustee of the Bronte Society. To suit the Augustinian interest in our local history, she targeted her part of the talk on the visits the Bronte sisters made to the Yorkshire coast.  Her brother David Walford then outlined the social conditions at the time.  The Brontes experienced at first hand the immense and rapid changes of the Victorian industrial revolution and in particular the rise of the railways.

Catherine described in detail Charlotte’s visits to Bridlington and how her journeys became easier over time. She stayed at a farm house at Easton, now demolished. She later moved on to the Esplanade.

Catherine debunked a few of the Bronte myths claimed by some writers. She did agree though that Charlotte, being the oldest child to survive into adulthood, did try to control the others, particularly Anne, the youngest.

When Anne got tuberculosis she wanted to recuperate at Scarborough where she had enjoyed holidays with her employers, the Robinson family. It was Charlotte who delayed Anne’s return until just two days before her death. Anne is buried at St Mary’s church in Scarborough.  There is a puzzle to be solved here.  Charlotte claimed Anne’s headstone has five errors. What are they?

Charlotte spent time in Filey after Anne’s burial. Later, Charlotte also visited Hornsea for a “happy and pleasant” visit.

David began by explaining that Haworth was at the epicentre of the social changes occurring during the Bronte’s lifetimes. People were flocking to towns to work in the mills and living in atrocious conditions.

The lack of good transport was a big problem for industry and life in general.  Ordinary people just did not travel.  David explained how the railway revolution changed all this, whilst emphasising just how perilous an early train journey was.

David also noted that unlike in many families at the time, their father Patrick did believe in educating his daughters.  Our literary heritage has benefitted as a result.

In her vote of thanks Yvonne Powell said we had learnt a lot about the Brontes from this talk.