ARTIST Ashley Jackson will be on TV tomorrow – painting the historic ruin he campaigned to save 40 years ago.
The Holmfirth artist has been painting Top Withens – this time for Countryfile which will be shown on BBC1 on Sunday (7pm).
The ruined cottage on a moor, near Haworth, is widely regarded as the inspiration for the Earnshaw family house, Wuthering Heights, in the novel of the same name by Emily Bronte.
In the 1970s, Ashley battled to save the ruins which had been damaged by vandals, weather and over-enthusiastic Bronte fans.
On Sunday, Ashley will be talking to Countryfile presenter Ellie Harrison about how the Bronte sisters and Top Withens inspired him and continue to stimulate other artists.
Ashley, who first visited Top Withens in 1966 with artist and friend Stanley Chapman, will also be giving the Countryfile presenter a masterclass in sketching.
Ashley said: “When I was 16 I wrote in my sketch book that I wished to do with the brush what the Brontes had done with the pen.
“Today at 72 my passion remains the same for Yorkshire and the Brontes. I hope that Countryfile will allow others to view the moors as I see her – my mistress with all her womanly contours.”
