SAVE "Briarmains" in Charlotte Bronte's

Red House in Gomersal, West Yorkshire, was built in 1660 by William Taylor a cloth merchant. It was unusually built of red brick instead of local stone. In the 18th century the frontage and interior were re-modelled to a more fashionable style for the time. Arround 1920 large window extensions were added to the parlor and dining room.
It was owened by the Taylor family until 1920.

Today it is a museum displayed as a prosperous middle-class home of the 1830s, when Joshua and Anne Taylor lived here with their six children.
They were woollen cloth manufacturers and merchants, owning a mill at nearby Hunsworth.

Joshua's daughter Mary is considered to be an early champion of women's rights, and was a close friend of CHARLOTTE BRONTE.
Charlotte Bronte often visited the house, and featured the house as "Briarmains" and the Taylor family as "Yorkes" in her novel Shirley.
Charlotte was fond of the house and said "There was no splendour but there was taste everywhere"

Red House still looks very much as it would have in Charlotte's day. Each of the rooms brings you closer to the 1830's, from the elegant parlour to the stone- flagged kitchen with its Yorkshire range, jelly moulds and colourful crockery.
There is also the entrance hall with portraits of the Taylor family from the 1700s,The scullery-washkitchen, Dining room, Study,Governess' room,Main bedchamber,Girl's bedroom, and landing.

In the barn there is an exhibition showing the Bronte's connections with Spen Valley.
Move along to the 20th Century and the Spen Valley Stories exhibition in the restored cartsheds, shows schooldays,Teddy Boys,dance marathons, street parties through momentoes and pictures of local residents. The latest audio technology lets them tell their own stories.

Outside are the award-winning gardens. A recreation of the 19th Century gardens, with their shaped beds, decorative ironwork, and authentic varieties of plants and shrubs
.At the moment the snowdrops are coming out everywhere.
In summer there are scented old roses climbing arbour and arches;borders filled with lillies, lavenders,black hollyhocks, and curious names as;"Obedient Plant" and "Dame's Violet". This beautiful and distinctive 1830's style is rarely found in period gardens today.

There is also a museum shop with its period toys,books,gifts and preserves.

DISASTER!!!!!!!!

The Kirklees Council are now proposing to sell Red House as part of the council's budget cuts.
The history of the area -The textiles, the Luddites, and Charlotte Bronte's novel - all those elements represented by the house would disappear.

MP Mike Wood, ward councillors, historians, local groups and even descendants of the Brontes have been united in their condemnation of the plan.

If anyone out there can help by writing to Kirklees Council or even visiting Red House and signing the petition, PLEASE help to save this wonderful piece of our history, because Once it's gone, it's gone!