Subscribe to trusted local news
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
- Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
04
Sept
Time to show ‘shabby’ Knaresborough Castle some love, say campaigners
A petition is to be launched calling for improvements to the state of Knaresborough Castle.
The medieval fortress is one of the district’s prime tourist attractions and a popular spot for local gatherings and activities.
The view from the castle to the viaduct over the River Nidd was ranked the third most Instagrammable spot in North Yorkshire in a survey two years ago.
But the overgrown state of the castle grounds is damaging its appeal, a meeting of Knaresborough & District Chamber heard last night (September 3).
The iconic view from the castle top.
Liz Baxandall told the meeting she and fellow Knaresborian Kathy Allday planned to start a petition calling for improvements.
She said the petition would also include testimonies from people about how much the castle means to them, and would be aimed at “all parties that are responsible for the castle”.
The castle is owned by the king through the Duchy of Lancaster but maintained by North Yorkshire Council.
Several people spoke at the meeting about how shabby the castle grounds had become due to poor upkeep.
Photographer Charlotte Gale said it was becoming increasingly difficult to capture the iconic viaduct view due to the overgrown state of the landscape.
David Goode, a Knaresborough town councillor, said the petition would “show what the castle means to the town”.
Chamber director Peter Lacey said if the petition received 500 signatures it would be eligible for discussion by North Yorkshire Council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee, which could send a message to the council’s leadership to “pull your finger out” and take action.
Ms Baxandall is vice-chair of the community group Renaissance Knaresborough and Ms Allday is chair of Knaresborough Museum Association.
Speaking today, Ms Allday said the two women were acting as concerned citizens rather than as representatives of the groups. She said:
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.
The petition is expected tonbe launched later this month.
2