It's me, Cathy – thousands pay tribute to Kate Bush classic
It's me, Cathy – thousands pay tribute to Kate Bush classic
Fiona Callow - in Haworth Sun, July 26, 2026 at 4:45 PM UTC
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Every July, thousands celebrate The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever
The sun may be hiding behind grey clouds, but for hundreds of people in flowing red dresses dancing on Yorkshire moorland it'll take more than a threat of rain to dampen their spirits.
This is Brontë country, after all, so it's fitting that it's also perfect Brontë weather.
The group, swaying in unison, have come together to re-create the music video for Kate Bush's 1978 song Wuthering Heights, inspired by Emily Brontë's novel.
Every year, thousands of people around the world don red robes – and in some cases long black wigs – for The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever.
Events have previously taken place in places such as Sydney, Copenhagen, Berlin, Folkestone and Preston.
This particular "Mass Wuther" perhaps has an even stronger claim than most – it's held on Penistone Hill, not far from the famous Brontë parsonage in Haworth, in the Pennines.
From the field on a clear day can be seen the ruined farmhouse of Top Withens, believed to be the inspiration for the titular farmhouse of Brontë's novel.
Frances Murphy (left) and Katherine Egan travelled from Australia after attending the event in Brisbane last year
"We're really thrilled to be bringing all these people together. It's such a good-hearted, fun event. It doesn't matter whether you can dance or not," says organiser Lydia McKinnon.
"I just hope that the Kates and Cathys have got their thermals and their rain ponchos because they might need them."
The West Yorkshire event was a sell-out in 2025, and this year the 500 tickets were snapped up within 90 seconds, according to event organisers.
Proceeds are split between regional and national charities. This year, Women's Aid, Haworth and Oxenhope District Bridleways Group, and Friends of Brontë Country have been chosen.
Some participants in the Mass Wuther have travelled great distances to attend – in the case of Frances Murphy and Katherine Egan, all the way from Australia.
They both took part in Brisbane's event last year and said they couldn't miss the opportunity to dance in Brontë Country.
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"It's wonderful. So many people have turned out, and we're so lucky to have got tickets to get in," Katherine says, adding: "We love you, England."
Cathy Stoyko came from Vancouver Island, Canada, and Scott Kerman made the trip from Portland, Oregon
Martine and Christine are English teachers from Oslo and "are here to dance" as fans of both the singer and the writer.
"We were a bit scared about choreography," Christine admits.
"We're trying to channel Kate Bush and have a lot of attitude and fun."
Wearing a red rose around his neck, Scott Kerman has jumped on a flight from Portland, Oregon, to join in the revelry.
"It's something I've wanted to do for years," he says.
The group danced on in Haworth despite the weather
"I'm such a fan of Kate Bush and this song. When I saw that this event was held here on the moors last year, I said, 'Well, where else would I want to do it?'
"It's such a beautiful place, so it's just extraordinary to be here."
Cathy Stoyko said she was "dancing for her sisters" back home in Vancouver Island, Canada.
"I've been a Kate Bush fan since I was a teenager. It's very special to be doing this here. I love the connection to space and community."
Groups gathered across the UK, including in Folkestone
Across the UK, other groups of Kate Bush lookalikes gathered to perform the iconic dance.
In Folkestone, Kent, the rain stayed away for the hundreds that gathered by the seafront. The event has been held at the Harbour Arm annually since 2023.
Bristol also hosted its own Mass Wuther on College Green and Clevedon's Marine Lake, which is believed to be the only one where dancers celebrate on land and in the water at the same time.
The annual event takes place across the UK and around the world
Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, and catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
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Source: “AOL Entertainment”
