Bronte Society members submit a bid for a showdown

Janice Lee, a retired deputy headteacher, said the group had gathered the required number of signatures to request an extraordinary general meeting and said the Bronte Society’s response was now awaited.

Critics are campaigning for the ruling council to step aside “to bring higher levels of professionalism and experience to the society,” according to a letter from two members earlier reported in the Yorkshire Post.

Bronte Society members John Thirlwell, a TV producer, and Janice Lee, have written to some members calling for fresh leadership.

They claim the society’s council has “lost its way” and was guilty of “micro-managing” the running of the Bronte Parsonage Museum, owned by the Society.

Earlier this month Bonnie Greer, president of the Bronte Society, rejected claims the literary group had “lost its way” saying the Society and Bronte Parsonage Museum were well run.

She said: “The Society is run in a professional manner by a diverse team of skilled individuals. Business strategies are in place and outcomes are continuously monitored.”

Ms Greer rejected claims that council members were “enthusiastic amateurs”, saying they had extensive professional experience. It was “surprising” none of those criticising the Society had stood for election at the annual meeting.