Museum is too valuable a treasure to be lost

I WAS absolutely astounded and appalled to learn that Kirklees Council is proposing to close Red House Museum, Gomersal.

When the council wastes money willy-nilly on all kinds of harebrained schemes, it is inconceivable that they would wish to close and sell this unique building.

It has already announced its intention to curtail the opening hours but closing the museum is altogether a step too far.

Unfortunately, other museums in what is now Kirklees were bequeathed many years ago to the former councils to be used as museums, but Spenborough Corporation bought Red House and therefore there are no obstacles to selling it, but once sold it will be lost for ever.

This beautiful 350-year-old Grade II-listed building has both historical and literary links with Charlotte Brontë and the Taylor family, and its sale would be a great loss to the heritage of the Spen Valley.

In their Impact Statement, Kirklees Council says there will “be an adverse reation in the Spen Valley area” but from what I have seen on television and read in the press both nationally and locally during the last week, the loss of this “gem” will be condemned over a significantly wider area.

Kirklees Council does not seem to realise what an extremely rare and singular treasure it possesses.

I do hope the council comes to its senses and decides to retain the Red House not just for us but for the future enjoyment of generations to come.