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Bronte Walks is the page for Blue Badge tour guide Johnnie Briggs. It is a celebration of my work a
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08/02/2024

What a wonderful start to the New Year. On Tuesday, January 9th, 2024, I had my first guiding job of the year. Nicola had arranged a walk as part of a Bronte Adventure for herself and her friend Ruth. They were so kind and patient. They have been friends for a long time and were just so comfortable with each other's company. Nicola's friend, Ruth, took some selfies on the moor and sent me one with a wonderful accolade.

It’s been a truly special day and you are a highly accomplished and compelling storyteller Johnnie. How lucky we were to have had you as our guide!
Thank you 🙏
Best wishes
Ruth

Nicola's friend was of course Ruth Jones the author, broadcaster and actor. I want to say thank you to both of them for a lovely day and for giving me such a great start to the year.

Ruth is playing the role of Mother Superior in Sister Act at the Dominion Theatre in London. The show opens on March 15th and it is running until August and it promises to be a 'crackin show'. If you are visiting London, get yourself a ticket and say hello from me.

https://youtu.be/TTcgtLpJ6_E?si=Ce4bwP5kKn0ImGwd

31/12/2018

2018 has been a wonderful year for Brontë Walks. I have met such wonderful people from all over the world, we have shared stories and explored the wonder of Yorkshire. I wish you all a wonderful 2019, a year full of laughter, happiness and the adventures you wish for.
The photograph to celebrate 2018 is a selfie, taken with Lily Cole during the making of her film, 'The Secret Life of Emily Brontë'.
Happy 2019

06/07/2018

I really enjoy working with groups over a few days and towards the end of June I had the privilege of working with a group from Belgium. It was fantastic.
They were all members of Irene’s Adult English Class and they were here to practice their English, to celebrate the end of their year’s classes, but most of all to say a fond farewell to their teacher Irene, who is moving to Ireland with her husband Paul to start a new chapter in their lives.
I was scheduled to meet them at Manchester Airport’s Terminal One Arrivals and I always worry about missing people, or any number of things. This was the best group ever, they all came into the arrivals hall as one group and all wearing white hats with a Yorkshire rose on them. Fantastic.
We visited Nostell Priory on the way to York, the Priory is an incredible place to visit. On Friday we had a day exploring the North York Moors and of course Whitby. We took the steam train from Pickering to Goathland. Then the coach took us on to Whitby for fish and chips, trips around the bay and a climb up the 199 steps to the Church and of course, for some, the brewery, which is just outside the Abbey.
Saturday was a day exploring York and then on Sunday it was a trip back to the airport through Harrogate and a stop in Grassington for Lunch.
It was a memorable tour. Irene is a gifted teacher and their level of English was brilliant. I want to say thank you to Sabine from Oranjetours, Heist-op-den-Berg, for organising the tour and for booking me. I also want to say a heart fell thanks to Irene and her amazing students for making me so welcome and allowing me to share their Yorkshire Adventure.

03/07/2018

Tessa and Rose
The Yorkshire Adventure
Rose and Tessa have been friends for over fifty years and their Yorkshire Adventure was part of a literary holiday they have been planning since the autumn of 2017.
It was such a delight to meet them and to see Yorkshire through their eyes. The Brontës were very much a feature of our first day together, with an exploration of the family story, then the Parsonage and then the moors. It was brilliant.
At the moment the Parsonage has Branwell’s original painting of his sisters, sometime called the pillar portrait. We are so use to the copy that hangs on the stairs. Being able to look closely at how the picture was painted and how so much of it is a work in progress, is fascinating.
Our second day was spent out in the Yorkshire Dales, but first we explored a little of Keighley to put the Industrial Revolution in context. Dalton Mills are extraordinary, some are being restored, some are the ruins of fires and all of it paints such a vivid picture of life in the mid 1800’s. We followed this up with a brief visit to Cliffe Castle, the Butterfield family home and now the town Museum. The wealth of the mill owners is on show here, the opulence, the treasures from across the globe and their global influence. It is such a wonderful place to visit and it is free.
Then Bolton Abbey which is such a wow factor and the lovely guide in the Parish Church asked them to ring the Church Bell mark the end of the silence in memory of Grenfell Tower. It was very special and very moving.
We lunched at the Clarendon Hotel in Hebden, saying hello to Lionel and his son Jonathan, before taking the spectacular drive from Kilnsey over to Malham Tarn. It is breathtaking. With tea in Malham and the drive back to Haworth it was a special day.
Rose and Tessa, I want to say thank you for your stories, your warmth, your laughter and the joy in your eyes from experiencing the Yorkshire landscape.

27/06/2018

With weeks of sunshine Haworth and the moors are looking amazing. Last week a small group of students from the Montclair Kimberley Academy, New Jersey came for a Bronte day. It was wonderful. We welcomed them with tea and coffee, explored the story of the family, visited the Parsoange and then had lunch in West Lane Baptist Church. Afterwards we went out onto Pennistone Hill and just had a romp around the moor. We met The Dog Called Luna who has her own page, playing in the pond and a great deal of time was taken up with filming her and throwing sticks.

I want to say thank you to the students and their teachers for a great day and to say, 'Go Cougars'.

17/06/2018

For the past few years Brontë Walks has had the privilege of working with GCI Educational Tours, who are based in Tampa Bay in Florida. They offer incredible opportunities to young students, opportunities to see the world, explore history, literature and to just be.
Their visit to Haworth is for a ‘Brontë Experience’ and we provide them with a whole day of activities. We are supported in our work by the West Lane Baptist Church who offer their Community Rooms, kitchen and facilities to the tour.
I really enjoy meeting the students and staff. It is a delight to explore the story of the Bronte family with them, making references to their own lives and experiences. We take a gentle tour of the village weaving the social history of the times into the story of the family. They have time to explore the top of the village. They will have a lunch that has been freshly prepared for them, with quiche, salads and lots of puddings and cake. Think a version of Eton Mess with strawberries, raspberries and home made meringue. There was a fresh fruit salad as well.
Leri, one of our associates, made some Elderflower Cordial. It was offered with sparking water and a chance to enjoy the early taste of summer.
After lunch we venture onto the moors to experience the landscape that inspired and refreshed the family. Leri leads the way and I walk with those who want to stroll. Unfortunately, at this time of year, Lemony can’t join us as the ground nesting birds are on their nests.
I want to express my thanks to Shay and Ken and the students of Plant High School for a wonderful day. ‘Go Panthers’.

15/06/2018

I love guiding in York, it is a magical City. Last Saturday I was guiding a group of young American students for my colleagues from Destination Yorkshire. The group were from Ohio, Texas, New Mexico and Minnesota. It was great fun. They were on a literary tour of England and were so excited about being here.
The hardest part of my work is trying to remember to take photographs while guiding!
We toured York Minster and then made our way to Clifford's Tower. It was a great afternoon and I really enjoyed meeting them.

10/06/2018

Last week I guided Diane up onto moors to walk up to Top Withens. It was such a brilliant walk. We explored the Bronte story as well as the plants and wildlife. The Curlews and the Lapwings were singing above us and on our way back a fledgling grouse ran across our path. It was magic.
Diane, thank you for a great walk and wonderful stories, especially the ones about being a Teacher of the Air. I wish you well with your wedding and your future.

04/06/2018

We have had sunshine for over four weeks now, it has been wonderful. The trees and plants have really come on and the moors look lovely.
Imagine wanting to come and visit Haworth and to walk in the landscape that inspired Emily. You finally make the decision to visit Haworth during your visit to England and you have one day, just one day to walk on the moors. Yes, this is the only day in the last four weeks that it rained and it really did rain.
Not all was lost. Rachel shared a walk with Lisa and despite the rain they had a good walk up to Top Withens and then on to the Alcomden Stones.
On the way back I came to meet them with Lemony.
There are not many photographs, but the few there are show their undaunted spirit. We did lend Lisa a jacket to keep her warm and dry on the walk.

31/05/2018

May 20th was the Sunday of the 1940's Festival in Haworth. It was a glorious day, full of sunshine and laughter. In the midst of all this I was guiding a Japanese group who were here for a Bronte Experience while on their way to the Lake District and then on to Scotland.
They really enjoyed working their way through the crowds to the Parsonage. While the lunch at the Chapel was wonderful and the walk on the moor breathtaking.
I must thank West Lane Baptist Chapel for making us welcome while in the midst of running their amazing cafe. A big thank you to Ponden Mill for providing refreshments at the end of their walk onto the moors and for providing car parking for their coach.
It was a great day, a day when plans had to be fluid and to make space for the unexpected, for photo opportunities and for laughter, lots of laughter.
One of the unexpected highlights was finding a fossil on the moors. The dry weather often brings stones to the surface of the paths and we came across a fossilised tree root from the Carboniferous period. The were small coal mines on the moors, bell pits, and the waste heaps from these mines often contain these fossils. It is such a joy to find them.

24/05/2018

We have just been awarded a Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence for 2018. This means that we have been awarded Certificates of Excellence for five consecutive years and Bronte Walks has now joined the Trip Advisor 'Hall of Fame'. How good is that.

A big thank you to all those who have posted reviews and made this possible.

24/05/2018

Last week I spent two days with a group of Honors Students from the University of Tennessee at Martin. It was fun, they were a great group. We visited the Parsonage, explored the village and on the Wednesday headed out onto the moors with Leri. The weather was perfect, a little cool and a gentle breeze. It is hard to read 'Wuthering Heights' in Tennessee. You have no real idea of the moors. But to be able to walk the moors, explore the wildlife, plants and birds. To experience the views and the weather, then the story comes to life. It is fair to say that they loved it. We then made lunch together in West Lane Baptist Church and then sent them off to the Yorkshire coast. Both Leri and I really enjoyed meeting them and we had such a brilliant day. Thank you and go 'Skyhawks'.

19/05/2018

During the summer months I am asked to provide guiding services for the cruise ships that visit the Port of Tyne in Newcastle. It is great fun. The North East is such a special place for visitors.
Last week I was asked by Experience North to lead an excursion to Alnwick Castle, the home of the Dukes of Northumberland. It was a brilliant day. The visitors were in a real holiday mood, the sky was blue and the castle looked magnificent.

15/05/2018

Last week on Bank Holiday Monday I took a lovely American family on a drive tour. We went from York to Castle Howard and to finish the day we called in to Helmsley for an ice cream and a wander. It was a glorious day, a day full of sunshine and laughter. Castle Howard looked magnificent and after a wander through the gardens and up to the temple we explored the house itself.

It was not busy and there was a gentleness to the visit. The house always captures a visitors imagination. It was designed by John Vanbrugh and given form by Nicholas Hawksmoor.

Sometimes on a drive tour you start with a plan for the day, but on a warm, sunny Bank Holiday plans can change and the day gently unfolded, we spent a relaxed morning in Castle Howard and finished with a light lunch and a decision to eat ice cream in Helmsley while admiring the motorbikes in the Market Square.

Thank you for a lovely, gentle day.

12/05/2018

I love working on coach tours and last week I was working with Robinsons. You spend the day with a wonderful group of people who are on holiday and who are just happy to be on holiday. We visited Saltaire and were hosted by the amazing Saltaire Experience who offer costumed walks that explore the story of the village and of course Titus. It was brilliant. We did call in to the Hockney Gallery and this always has such an impact on people. We then went on to Haworth for lunch and then back to Harrogate. Thank you for a great day, I really enjoyed working with the group.

30/04/2018

On Thursday, April 26th, I had one of those really special days. I had been booked to guide Pam up onto the Haworth moors. Pam has always wanted to walk across the moors and to stand at Top Withens. Our moorland walks are booked by individuals and sometimes we are able to match a solo traveler with another one and all is well. On Thursday we were able to match Pam with Erin and we had such a wonderful walk. They are both huge Bronte fans, well read and knowledgeable. It really was a great conversation in the landscape that inspired the sisters.

I just wanted to say thank you for being such great company, I had such a lovely time. It was a little stormy and the threat of rain was always there, but it held off until we were coming back into Haworth. The wonderful Mr Chris Upton had given us a lift to Stanbury to start our walk, Route A, but on our way back we decided to walk back into Haworth. This gave us the opportunity to enjoy the Bronte Bridge and falls as we wandered along the Water Authority path back into the village.

Thank you for a great walk.

25/04/2018

Over the last few weeks it has been an absolute delight to see the Volunteer Guides working in Haworth Parish Church, St Michael and All Angels. They have such a wonderful way with visitors; kind, gentle, informative and the love they have for the Church and its stories really shines through. I have been lucky enough to be working with some groups when they have been in action.

17/04/2018

On my way back to Haworth from a tour in York I decided to stop in the village of Kirk Hammerton. It is only about ten miles from York. There is a signpost inviting you to visit St John the Baptist Church, a 12th Century Church.
It is amazing. The interior took my breath away and it got me thinking about Haworth Parish Church, St Michael and All Angels.
The interior of St John the Baptist are painted in the most wonderful colours and images. I have attached some photographs for you to see. The interior of Haworth Church only hints at its past glory. When it was rebuilt in the early 1880's we know it was brightly painted. The roof was bright and vibrant greens, golds and blues. There were paintings on the walls and over the arch to the Choir. This is still only just visible. But, we do have a photograph that hints at all of this. The walls would have been golden and the spaces between the arches would have had illustrations.
By looking at the interior of St John the Baptist, we can get a glimpse of what Haworth Church may have looked like.

08/04/2018

On Good Friday I had a wonderful day. I was booked to do a drive tour of Bronte Country. My client was from Los Angeles and they wanted a gentle day. I called at Goldsbourgh Hall at the appointed time and I must confess that I have not visited this beautiful hotel before. I have attached a picture, but it in no way does it justice. It is stunning. A graceful Georgian house remodeled from an earlier one, it is breathtaking in its elegance.

I always think that it is the moment that you meet your client that sets the tone for the day. I walked in to Goldsborough Hall and simply stood in the hallway just saying 'Wow, this is beautiful, this is wonderful, are you really staying here? Do you really want to go out for the day?'

I am glad to say that we did and shared a great day exploring the Parsonage, having lunch in Cobbles and Clay before having a gentle walk on the moor. On our way back we visited Skipton Castle and their guide gave us such a lovely introduction to Lady Anne and all that she represents.

I just want to say thank you to Jane for being such excellent company and for getting the measure of me in that first moment.

29/03/2018

To live in Yorkshire is to embrace weather. It changes as the day progresses and as my Uncle Harry, who was a Hill Farmer on the Oakworth Moor, use to say, 'you need a very good coat and sometimes you don't have to wear it!'
I went for an early morning walk with Lemony onto Ilkley Moor and the mists came down. For some reason it reminded me of the Roman Fort down by the River Wharfe and of the Brigantes, the local people. It must have been strange for the Roman soldier, born in Spain and in the heat of the Mediterranean, to be standing in the cold, damp mists of Britannia.
Ilkley Church has a collection of Roman pieces, the Church sits on the site of the fort and one of the centre pieces of this collection is a Roman alter to the goddess Verbeia, a river goddess.
Walking in the mist does wonders for your imagination.

29/03/2018

Just before the winter ends and spring begins I wanted to post these pictures of an ice sculpture. I was driving towards Otley on my way over to Swinsty Reservoir for a gentle walk with Leri and Lemony and we came across these icicles. It was magical.

29/03/2018

I spent this morning with a wonderful group from Biddick Academy, Washington in Tyne and Wear. They are just a few weeks away from their GCSE's and there are so many exams. They came in two minibuses and the West Lane Baptist Church were able to provide parking space and allow us to have a meet and greet in the Community Rooms. It is nice to be able to welcome visitors with tea, fresh coffee and biscuits. The trip was organised by the English Department and it was to inspire them.
I love working with such groups as the story of the family and how they came to write their novels is inspiring in itself.

I would like to say thank you to the group for their visit and I wish them well with their exams and their futures.

22/03/2018

Yesterday was Welcome to Yorkshire's Y18 celebration at the Alhambra Theater in Bradford. It was a joyful celebration of all things Yorkshire and all that has been achieved in the past year. My colleague and friend John Sargent took these wonderful pictures of the activities going on around the Alhambra.

It was wonderful to be met by a 10 foot high David Hockney.

2018 is going to be a great year for Yorkshire and for the North, the Great Exhibition of the North is being staged in Gateshead and Newcastle. These are exciting times to be a tour guide.

09/03/2018

I took Lemony, a working cocker spaniel, for a walk this morning up on the Oakworth Moor. It was wonderful and even more so because the Curlews and Lapwings have arrived as the heralds of spring. These are the ground nesting birds that come to lay their eggs among the sedges, the tall spiky grasses, that grow around the edges of the heather. Both of them have such a distinct song and I stood for a long while just listening to them deciding who is going to have which field. Then as the sun, all to briefly, came out the meadow pipits started to sing and well, spring is here.

08/03/2018

These are some pictures I took from my visit to Rudston in the Yorkshire Wolds and Winifred's home. The family of the current owners of the house bought it from Winifred's father in 1919. I met them in the Church and they were kind enough to invite us, Dr Carola Croll and myself, to visit the house. They are wonderful people and have a great pride in the house's history and in Winifred.

08/03/2018

Hornsea is on Yorkshire's East Coast. It is a small seaside town with a big heart and a connection to Winifred Holtby.

08/03/2018

Last summer I spent a day in the Yorkshire Wolds with Dr. Carola Croll researching her book on Literary Yorkshire. It was a wonderful journey.

07/03/2018

On the last Sunday in February I hosted a brilliant group from Scotton, near Harrogate. I love doing walks for book groups and this was a really lovely group. We explored the story of the Bronte family and finished our tour in the Church of St Michael and All Angels at the top of Haworth. This is the Parish Church and they always make visitors feel so welcome. We even had cups of tea to warm ourselves up.

25/02/2018

I recently posted some photographs of Winifred Holtby's Yorkshire.
Winifred Holtby was a novelist, journalist and spent her life campaigning for equality for women, a more peaceful world and trade union rights for black workers in South Africa.
Winifred was born in Rudston, in the Yorkshire Wolds, in 1898.
In 1917 she went to Oxford University and then postponed her degree to join the WAAC and subsequently served in France.
Returning to Somerville College in 1919 she met Vera Brittain and their friendship blossomed.
The experience of war, of losing her brother, lover and witnessing the devastation and carnage had a lasting impact on both her and a generation of young women. Vera Brittain would write about this in her 'Testament of Youth' and after Winifred's death in 1939 Vera would pay tribute to her friend in her book, 'Testament of Friendship'.
In her novel 'South Riding', Winfred writes about the Yorkshire Wolds and the impact of the 1930's depression on the lives of those who live there. The town of Kiplington is a combination of the real life towns of Hornsea and Withernsea and Hornsea is where Winifred stayed while writing part of the novel.
I will post some more pictures of the Yorkshire Wolds and I hope to manage to post them with the text!

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