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17
Sept
Petition launched to improve state of Knaresborough Castle
A petition has been launched calling for the improvement of Knaresborough Castle.
The medieval fortress is one of the Harrogate district’s prime tourist attractions and a popular spot for community events.
But concerns over the conditions of the castle grounds were raised by several people at a Knaresborough and District Chamber meeting on September 3, when two Knaresborians also revealed their plans to launch a petition calling for improvements.
The Change.org petition, titled 'Save Knaresborough Castle', was set up yesterday (September 16) and claims the castle “faces threats from neglect and underfunding”.
“The castle is in a very poor state of repair, causing erosion of its structure and obscuring the famous views from castle top”, it adds.
The castle is owned by the King through the Duchy of Lancaster but maintained by North Yorkshire Council. The petition urges the authority to “prioritise its conservation”.
It also says:
The castle’s deterioration jeopardises economic contributions from tourism. If Knaresborough Castle’s decline continues ultimately it could be closed to the public which would be disastrous for the town.
The iconic view from the castle top.
The petition, set up by Kathy Allday, chair of Knaresborough Museum Association, raises concerns over weeds “obscuring features and causing cracks in the masonry”, and blocked views caused by "uncontrolled" tree growth.
North Yorkshire Council should reinvest any revenue generated through the estate, such as car parking, into the castle's maintenance, the petition adds.
It also says:
By uniting as a community, we can rally to preserve this iconic landmark and its contribution to Knaresborough’s identity and economy. Join us in signing this petition to secure a dedicated funding stream and a comprehensive restoration plan, ensuring the integrity of the castle and its story continues.
Knaresborough District and Chamber director and North Yorkshire councillor Peter Lacey told the chamber meeting the petition would be eligible for discussion by North Yorkshire Council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee should it reach 500 signatures.
This could send a message to the council’s leadership to “pull your finger out” and take action, Cllr Lacey said at the time.
Ms Allday, who set up the petition in collaboration with Liz Baxandall – vice-chair of the community group Renaissance Knaresborough – also told the meeting on September 3:
I’ve lived in Knaresborough for 20 years and I love the castle. I walk my dogs around it but for years it has been deteriorating. It’s ridiculous letting the trees grow so wild and the amount of weeds.
We know North Yorkshire Council is strapped for cash, but they do have a duty towards it. It just needs to be treated as a bit more of a priority, or soon we will be left with no view.
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