It may look a little out of place amidst the bleak Yorkshire moorland, but this bare timber structure will soon set hearts soaring.
When finished, television viewers won’t be able to tell it apart from the stone-built Bronte Parsonage in nearby Haworth, former home of the Brontes.
The exterior replica of the Parsonage is taking shape on Penistone Hill, chosen by film location experts to better resemble the original 1840s setting for a major new BBC drama.
To Walk Invisible, created by award-winning Yorkshire writer and playwright Sally Wainwright, will tell the story of the world-famous family.
Although the unpainted timber structure is currently a “monstrosity”, according to local councillor Glen Miller, the short-term pain will be worth it in the end.
“It looks a monstrosity but is going to be painted and will bring future benefits,” he added.
“When the drama goes out at Christmas, it will bring in more footfall into the district. I also hope the BBC will donate the surplus wood to local charities.”
Councillor Miller (Con, Worth Valley) said the Penistone Hill location was actually more authentic because the real Parsonage was surrounded by trees which weren’t present in the 1840s.
“The legacy of this production will be good for the area, not just for Haworth but for Bradford as well.”
Parish council chairman John Huxley is just as enthusiastic about the three-storey timber structure, which can be seen from Top Withens and the route to the Bronte Waterfalls.
He said: “There is no doubt it will become an attraction in its own right. There has been an increase in the number of programmes about the Brontes because of the 200th anniversary of Charlotte Bronte’s birth [on April 21 this year].
“The Bronte legacy for the village is very important.”
Meanwhile, the BBC is continuing preparation for filming in June by which time Main Street in Haworth will be restored to its 1840s appearance.
Part of the street will be closed during the first full week of June. Interior sets will be built in Manchester because filming is not possible inside the real Parsonage.
To Walk Invisible revolves around the three Bronte sisters’ increasingly difficult relationship with their brother Branwell, who in the last three years of his life – following a tragic love affair – sank into alcoholism and drug addiction and appalling behaviour.
The drama will also explore the siblings’ relationship not only with one another, but with their father, Patrick.
Bronte experts are assisting the BBC with preparations.
Sarah Laycock, library and collections officer at the Brontë Parsonage Museum, said: “We’re really happy to be assisting the BBC with their preparations for To Walk Invisible.
“Over the last few weeks, members of the production crew have spent a lot of time looking at our collection in order to reproduce replica artefacts to use as props or as part of the set. The attention to detail is incredible.
“We’re all looking forward to the drama itself and in the meantime are enjoying seeing the replica Parsonage and other buildings being erected on Penistone Hill.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2015/to-walk-invisible
Demolition Images of the Filmset – June 2016
