Following Charlotte Bronte.

A new walking group.
North Kirklees Group of the Ramblers.
Always lovely to meet new people, and this group was very friendly and welcoming.

It was to be a walk from Oakwell Hall, just down the road from where we live.
The title sounded interesting.

Oakwell Hall used to be a girls school, and Charlotte visited many times with her friend Ellen Nussey.
It was “ Fieldhead” in Charlotte’s novel Shirley.

The walk then took us to Brookroyd House, in Birstall.
This was where Charlotte corrected the proofs of Jane Eyre. The novel that would make her famous.
It was the home of her life long, and closest friend, Ellen Nussey, who Charlotte met in 1831 while attending Roe Head School, Mirfield.
( see extra 2)

A look in the churchyard of St Mary’s, Gomersal, is where we found the grave of another of Charlotte’s friends, Mary Taylor. ( ( (Main Blip, and extra.)
She lived at Red House Gomersal. A house/ museum I have blipped before, and now closed.
Mary emigrated to New Zealand. Charlotte helped her out by sending her £10 to buy a cow.
She returned to England in 1860 and died in 1893, at 76.
However it was the death of her younger sister, Martha, in Brussels, where she was buried.which was a huge blow to Charlotte.
She was devastated.
In her novel “ Shirley” Martha is “Jessie York”, and Mary is “ Rose.
At the base of Mary’s gravestone is another stone . A tribute to Martha.
“ Martha Taylor sister of Mary. 1819 - 1842.
Buried in Brussels.
Much loved she was much loving.
C. Bronte.”

We covered 5 miles. Most were paths I hadn’t walked before.
Certainly found it interesting, and will definitely be joining them on another walk later in the year.g