Bronte Society members ‘want showdown on leadership concerns’

A GROUP of Bronte Society members unhappy with the direction of the literary society has gathered 50 members’ signatures in a bid to force an extraordinary general meeting.
The Bronte Parsonage Museum in HaworthThe Bronte Parsonage Museum in Haworth
The Bronte Parsonage Museum in Haworth

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.

As previously reported in The Yorkshire Post, Bronte Society members John Thirlwell, a TV producer, and Janice Lee, a retired deputy headteacher, have written to some members calling for fresh leadership.

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

Questions are also being asked about the circumstances surrounding the departure in June of Ann Sumner, the society’s executive director, after 16 months in the role.

Yesterday Mrs Lee said it had gathered the required number of signatures to call for an extraordinary general meeting.

She said that former Museum staff were among those calling for change.

The Bronte Society Council said feedback from members was welcomed and their concerns were taken seriously.

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