'˜Red House will go out with a festive bang'

The group is working with museum staff to plan a Red House Christmas celebration on December 11. There will be live music, refreshments and seasonal goods, and the mansion house will be decorated in a festive Victorian theme.

Jacqueline Ryder, chair of the friends group, said: “This is a very sad time for the friends. It is particularly disappointing that the council made this closure decision in the year we are celebrating the 200th anniversary of Charlotte Bronte’s birth, when Charlotte had such strong links with Red House.

“It is not only the end of the museum but also the friends group. We are determined to go out on a high, with this extra special Christmas event.”

The event takes place from noon until 4pm and a vintage bus. The museum will shut for a final time on Wednesday, December 21.

Dewsbury Museum closed last weekend and a new Friends of Dewsbury Park Mansion Group has been set up to explore it being taken over by the community. Anyone who is interested in helping the project is asked to contact Jax Lovelock by calling 07887950131.