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 its members were ‘horrified’ by the decision to place the bench in Whitby into storage without any consultation by North Yorkshire Council.
The council pledged to dismantle the wheel by August 7 – but locals are concerned that 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 – for what police suspected was her gothic appearance.
Sophie died 13 days after she was attacked in a park while trying to protect her boyfriend Robert Maltby, 21, from the 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.
Sophie Lancaster (pictured) died 13 days after she was attacked in a park while trying to protect her boyfriend Robert Maltby, 21, from attack by teenagers
A row has broken out after a memorial bench for Sophie was removed by council bosses to make way for a fairground big wheel
‘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 in a message to the Foundation: ‘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.
A service of rededication is planned for the memorial bench after its removal was branded as ‘sacrilege’
The bench was unveiled in 2008 and 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
‘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.’
The council has 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
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.
