Latest news with #SophieLancasterFoundation
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Daily Mail
Row as memorial bench for murdered goth Sophie Lancaster is removed by council to make way for fairground ride - without informing her family
A row has broken out after a memorial bench for murdered Goth Sophie Lancaster was removed by council bosses to make way for a fairground big wheel. The Sophie Lancaster Foundation said members are 'horrified' by the decision to place bench in Whitby into storage without any consultation by North Yorkshire Council. The council pledged to dismantle the wheel by August 7 - but Goths are concerned this is very close to the dates that 20-year-old Sophie was attacked and died in a coma in August 2007. A service of rededication is planned for the memorial bench after its removal was branded as 'sacrilege'. The memorial on Whitby's West Cliff honours Sophie, who was killed by two teenagers in Bacup, Lancashire. Sophie died 13 days after she was attacked in a park while trying to protect her boyfriend Robert Maltby, 21, from attack by the teenagers. The bench was unveiled in 2008 as 'a special place of remembrance' in Whitby, which is steeped in alternative culture, including festivals such as the Goth Weekend, which Sophie had visited. The Sophie Lancaster Foundation said: 'We've been contacted by many of you in the last 24 hours, horrified by the removal of Sophie's bench in Whitby. The alternative community raised £3,000 for the bench in 2008 and since then, it's been a special place of remembrance. 'It was the goth community in Whitby who first campaigned for Sophie's murder to be seen as a hate crime. For Sylvia, the bench was a tangible connection to Sophie and the huge love and support she received from the alternative community in Whitby. 'It was a shock to learn that the bench has been removed to locate a giant sightseeing wheel by North Yorkshire Council. 'Unfortunately, we weren't informed or consulted about this decision - which makes the news even more difficult for us and no doubt for the many thousands of you who visit the bench to reflect and remember Sophie.' North Yorkshire Council argued the big wheel was 'intended as a respectful, exciting addition to the town' and the memorial would be restored to its original location in August. Environmental Services Director Karl Battersby said: 'We appreciate that Sophie's bench is much loved and an important place for so many people to come to remember her. The bench is safe and being carefully looked after for a few weeks so it wasn't damaged when the observation wheel was put in place. 'As soon as the wheel is gone Sophie's bench will be carefully replaced. We are sorry for any worry this caused.' The Foundation added: 'It is unfortunate that we were not consulted, especially given the nature and the significance of the bench but we are grateful to know that it will be reinstated. The wheel will be there for 28 days, so we are hopeful it will be back in situ as soon as possible after that. 'This has all been a bit of a shock, but as often with these things, we are counting our blessings. We can't tell you what it means to have your love and support and to know that so many of you are reaching out to us to show how much you care. 'This space has meant so much, to so many of us. We think when it is back, it will feel even more special as we all know just how important it is. Thank you for your continued kindness and support.' The council told the Foundation the wheel will be dismantled by August 7. But Foundation members say the tribute should never have been moved in the first place. Yvonne Grant commented: 'Whitby's West Cliff is just not the same without Sophie's Bench. It's Whitby Steampunk Weekend from 25 -27 July, and it will be a shame the bench won't be there, as I know people like to leave tributes during the weekend.' Dani Seddon added: 'That's all a bit close to some big anniversaries for her friends and family. I hope it's done with as much dignity as possible.' Other comments called the removal 'sacrilege' and called for an investigation, claiming the move showed 'disrespect for ALL the bereaved families and friends'. Whitby Mayor Sandra Turner said: 'We have raised this with North Yorkshire Council, they have apologised for the serious oversight and assured us it will not happen again.' She added that it had been a 'serious hiccup' in the relationship between the local authorities. North Yorkshire councillor Mark Crane said the wheel had been put up as part of a wider tourism strategy. 'The location of the wheel in Whitby was chosen to provide stunning views across the harbour and towards the town's famous abbey,' he said. The Foundation is planning a service to rededicate the bench on November 1 during the Tomorrow's Ghost festival in Whitby.
BBC News
6 days ago
- BBC News
Whitby memorial bench for Sophie Lancaster moved for big wheel
A bench dedicated to a murdered woman has been moved to make way for a giant sightseeing memorial on Whitby's West Cliff honours 20-year-old Sophie Lancaster, who belonged to the Goth community and was killed by two teenagers in Bacup, Lancashire, in 2007.A spokesperson for charity the Sophie Lancaster Foundation said they were "shocked" to find the bench had been temporarily relocated and the organisation had not been consulted on the a North Yorkshire Council spokesperson said the big wheel was "intended as a respectful, exciting addition to the town" and the memorial would be restored to its original location on 4 August. Sophie died 13 days after she was attacked in a park while trying to protect her boyfriend Robert Maltby, 21, from attack by the bench was unveiled in 2008 and is "a special place of remembrance," a charity spokesperson town is well-known for its association with the alternative scene, through festivals such as the Goth Weekend, which Ms Lancaster charity has credited Whitby's Goth community with being among the first to campaign for Ms Lancaster's murder to be considered a hate crime."For Sylvia, Sophie's mother, the bench was a tangible connection to Sophie," the spokesperson said. "It was a shock to learn that the bench has been removed to locate a giant sightseeing wheel. Unfortunately, we weren't informed or consulted about this decision. "Which makes the news even more difficult for us and no doubt for the many thousands of people who visit the bench to reflect and remember Sophie." Whitby Town Council has said it was also not consulted before the wheel was installed, with Whitby mayor, councillor Sandra Turner calling this "a serious oversight"."We have raised this with North Yorkshire Council, they have apologised for the serious oversight and assured us it will not happen again," she added that it had been a "serious hiccup" in the relationship between the local Yorkshire councillor Mark Crane said the wheel had been put up as part of a wider tourism strategy."The location of the wheel in Whitby was chosen to provide stunning views across the harbour and towards the town's famous abbey," he said."Initial feedback from local businesses shows overwhelming support, with traders on West Cliff hopeful the attraction will increase footfall. "Having been in other parts of the county, the wheel has been well received by residents, visitors, and local businesses."He added that the decision to install the wheel was made "in good faith to avoid delays", and that council officers would attend the next town council meeting to acknowledge the importance of local engagement. A spokesperson for the Sophie Lancaster Foundation said it would be holding a small ceremony to rededicate the bench at Tomorrow's Ghosts Festival on 1 November."Whitby is such a special place for us and we will be overjoyed when the bench returns to its home on West Cliff," they said."As always, it was wonderful how the alternative community responded to the incident, and their love for Sophie and affection for the foundation set up in her memory, is truly heart-warming." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
