Memorial bench moved to make way for big wheel

A bench dedicated to a murdered woman has been moved to make way for a giant sightseeing wheel.

The 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 move.

But 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 teenagers.

The bench was unveiled in 2008 and is "a special place of remembrance," a charity spokesperson said.

The town is well-known for its association with the alternative scene, through festivals such as the Goth Weekend, which Ms Lancaster attended.

The 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 said.

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.

"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."

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