On the West Clif of Whitby, opposite the Whale Bones is a memorial bench for Sophie Lancaster. On the bench is an inscription: ‘IN MEMORY OF SOPHIE LANCASTER 26TH NOVEMBER 1986-24TH AUGUST 2007’ ‘AN ANGEL TOO SOON’.
Sophie Lancaster died from horrific injuries sustained in a vicious and brutal attack which resulted in her death on 24th August 2007, all because she looked different. A few months after her death, during Whitby Goth Weekend, money was raised for a memorial bench to Sophie to be installed. Visited by many with flowers left for Sophie, ‘the bench has become a landmark here in Whitby’.
In July 2025, without any notice, the bench was removed (as were others) in a council made decision to make way for a big wheel to be temporarily put up on West Cliff Whitby.
The Sophie Lancaster Foundation, nor Martin Old Goth who ordered the bench weren’t made aware the bench would be removed, neither were the families of the other memorial benches. Social media was flooded with outcry’s of disgust at the removal of the benches and The Sophie Lancaster Foundation appealed to the council to find out why the benches had been removed, and for their reinstatement. After a few weeks, the big wheel was removed, and the benches were returned to their rightful places.
A few of Whitby’s local alternative community welcomed back the benches with flowers to their rightful place, and Sophie’s bench was once more decorated with flowers, tributes and visitors. Here are some of the images I took when the benches were returned.
The Sophie Lancaster Foundation made the decision to hold a bench rededication ceremony on Sat 1st November 2025, during The Gothic Gathering weekend. They contacted Goth and Alternative Celebrant Ellie/Starr from Alternative Ceremonies UK to create and lead the ceremony for them. It was very emotional with many people present shedding tears. Alison Vincent the CEO of The Sophie Lancaster Foundation gave a tribute and Tim Kay a long time supporter of The Sophie Lancaster Foundation sang ‘Invincible Girl’ by Bad Pollyanna. The team from The Sophie Lancaster Foundation laid a wreath and many left flowers.
I was honoured to be asked to capture the ceremony which ended with Ellie/Starr asking everyone to ‘make a noise’ for Sophie Lancaster.
