When I'm trying to get into the mood for Christmas, a trip to Haworth often helps. Its cobbled streets and olde-worlde charm somehow seem right for the festive season. Most weekends in December they have some kind of theme going on. Last weekend there was a wartime flavour, with a 1940s vintage fair and a Wartime Christmas Ball on Saturday in the Community Centre. Next weekend will be even more spectacular, with carol-singing and a torchlight procession up the Main Street. The Christmas decorations are cheery and even the red phone box seems to add a festive touch.
Haworth, of course, was the home of the literary Brontë family. Patrick Brontë, father of Charlotte, Emily and Anne, was the parish priest of Haworth's church. Branwell, their brother, used to frequent the Black Bull pub, seen in my photo. He was a freemason and was the secretary of the local Lodge, which at one time used to meet in the pub.
How exceedinly beautiful, Jenny! It's exactly like the wonderful Christmas cards we used to receive when I was a child! That would put me into the Christmas spirit, instantly, too :) I do not feel it here, at all. Our climate just isn't right for tinsel, holly, steamy puds and tables groaning with rich food at this time of the year.
ReplyDeleteI imagine the torchlight procession is pretty spectacular. Looks a bit grey and damp in your photo. Typical December weather.
ReplyDeleteHaworth is a mythic place for me, because of my love for the Brontë. I like so much to see it thanks to you! And this phonebox is soooooo british! Delicious!
ReplyDeleteLike Desiree, this scene reminds me of a Christmas card picture. The Black Bull looks a gorgeous old pub.I'm impressed with how you describe the community spirit in the villages around you.
ReplyDeleteVery festive-looking. I love your red phone boots!
ReplyDeleteContinuing yesterday's theme re: "day care centres" for the men, I doubt very much that Branwell's sisters would have encouraged him to attend the Black Bull, more like discouraged him considering the drunken states he would roll home in. Branwell also had another "day centre" the delighfully named "Flapitt Inn" a good three or four miles away from the parsonage.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Jenny. And with the gray, damp atmosphere, it feels much like here today, except we don't have a local pub in which to warm ourselves. Jim
ReplyDeleteFor years we celebrated Christmas with our son in London, I miss this so much !! In Amsterdam you don't get any Christmas mood, they celebrate St. Nicolas and Christmas not very much. At least there is not a lot of decoration in the streets. It's getting better now !
ReplyDeleteAnother wonderful scene, Jenny. I am imagining the women of yesteryear wearing long balloon-type dresses, button-up boots and bonnets, while the men are wearing top hats and carrying silver-topped canes (oops, there I go again, letting my imagination run wild!!). Love the red phone booth too. We used to have them here in Australia until ... the 1960s?
ReplyDeleteI love Haworth. It does look very festive.
ReplyDeleteLovely! Brings back memories of visits to Haworth in 'the bleak, mid-Winter' and at other times when I was looking at the family connections.Thank you.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I've read about Mr Branwell Bronte he was not averse to frequenting any pub within staggering distance of home.
ReplyDeletePerfect! I've been hauling out the Christmas things and putting away Autumn's golds and rusts. And it's just begun to snow, Perhaps I should turn off the news and put on some Christmas carols.
ReplyDeleteI love this image, Jenny. You framed it perfectly with the buildings at each end, and the strolling couple and red phone booth provide the interest. Print it out and frame it!
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful area. I like the red accents to such great looking buildings.
ReplyDeleteIt would be so much fun to visit there, it looks so quaint and festive and of course filled with wonderful history. ~Lili
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't mind having a pint in that old Black Bull pub! A lovely shot of a charming town. Can't fail with cobblestones, hey? And even an old red phone booth!
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