More Sophie Tributes - Basingstoke and Bacup

Sophie Lancaster charity gig

11 Apr 2008 Rock fans in Basingstoke have come together to arrange a show to raise money for the charity set up by the family of murdered teen Sophie Lancaster: Stamp Out Prejudice, Hatred + Intolerance Everywhere. Details are as follows: Hosted ...

Bowls tournament in Sophie's memory
A MAJOR bowls competition will be held in the park where Sophie Lancaster was murdered in a bid to raise funds in her memory.

And he has had permission from Sophie’s mum Sylvia Lancaster and family friend Kate Conboy-Greenwood to hold the event on 10 August, the eve of the anniversary of the horrific incident, in which Sophie’s boyfriend Robert Maltby was also kicked and beaten about the head.

Chris, 44, from Weir, said: ‘I have written to 32 bowlers locally and 32 people from elsewhere in Yorkshire, Wigan and the Greater Manchester area.

Prime Minister on Youth Crime plus other effects

Brown pledge to beat youth culture Manchester Evening News, April 1st

GORDON Brown has vowed to root out guns, gangs and knives in a bid to end teenage yob violence. Speaking in the wake of the brutal killings of student Sophie Lancaster and father Gary Newlove, he said his government was doing `everything in its power' to make people feel safer.Mr Newlove was attacked outside his Warrington home after confronting a gang of teenagers about vandalism. His head was said to have been `kicked like a football'.Sophie Lancaster, 20, and her boyfriend Robert Maltby were attacked by a gang in a Rossendale park - both were left in a coma and she later died.

Mr Brown said that the government's policy of neighbourhood policing was intended to create a visible presence on the streets, but on top of that, expert cops would take the lead on what he called these `difficult and heinous crimes'.He said it was right to have high-profile policing on the streets as a deterrent."As for these terrible crimes of violence, we are doing everything in our power to root out guns, gangs and knives," he told the M.E.N."We will take action against pubs, clubs or hotels selling to underaged people, or allowing them to drink, so that people generally can feel safer."There must be a presumption that people who carry knives are prosecuted." Mr Brown said new contracts would be drawn up between local people and police, giving residents more say on how anti-social behaviour and drugs are tackled.Mr Brown and Home Secretary Jackie Smith kicked off Labour's local election campaign, announcing an increase in neighbourhood police schemes.Shadow Home Secretary David Davis called this `a gimmick' and the Lib Dem's Chris Huhme said the answer was to put more police on the beat.

In Rossendale there is a move to stop youth drinking in parks as a result of
Sophie's death. Why now after the trial? Why not 6 months ago?
Call to ban alcohol in parks after Sophie's murder
This Is Lancashire, UK - 30 Mar 2008

It seems it may have been appeals by local media which helped in the naming of the acccused after the trial:
'Goth' murderers named thanks to court appeal by media
HoldTheFrontPage.co.uk, UK - 31 Mar 2008


In Burnley Sophie's death and another recent murder involving teenagers has lead to questions over park safety and new plans for improved safety.

Security measures planned for parks Burnley Express, April 1st
Are Burnley's parks safe? Burnley Express, 31 Mar 2008

Kerrang has very busy comment news on the Sophie trial.

Some of Burnley attackers caught

Two people now in custody. Only need to find the rest.

Comments on the previous news articles however reveal more allegations of abuse and local people being chased. Take for example this from Ben from Bacup posted on Monday:

Well I just took my dinner from work. I work in Bacup and went to the Co-Op.
I work across the road from Bacup Leisure Hall, so people who know the area know it's not a long trek.
On the way there, chavs saw me and hurled abuse at me, including 'batty boy'. That would never have bothered me, but after hearing of these increasing attacks I suddenly feared for my own safety as I saw there was 20 of these chavs.. and one of me.
Quickly I was in the co-op, but soon I was out again.
This time I walked past them coming the opposite direction on the side where the big red/purple/pink (ever changing with the light) section of my hair was visible to them.
One of the chavs yelled out 'You're next fag!'
I don't know what he means by that but I was suddenly feeling very uneasy and wanted to get out of there as soon as I can.

This isn't anywhere near the first time this has happened as chavs usually yell abuse at me pretty much every day.

I'm looking to move into the city (Manchester) soon where emos and goths are more accepted.

Halloween sees the beginning of the Trial of Suspects in Sophie Lancaster murder

The five suspects in the Sophie Lancaster case have been committed for trial in Burnley the preliminary hearing will be held at Preston Crown Court on October 31st, Halloween.

http://www.therossendalefreepress.co.uk/news/s/233/233457_murder_rap_teenagers_in_court.html

Black Ribbon Tribute

Article on the SOPHIE fund and many of the local and world wide tributes to Sophie. Much kudos to all of those involved in organising these.

http://www.therossendalefreepress.co.uk/news/s/233/233460_black_ribbon_tribute_to__tragic_sophie.html

I can’t bury My Sophie: Sophie Lancaster Update

Sophie remains unburied for legal reasons as the trial approaches. Memorial fund in Sophie’s honour launched by friends and family which aims to fight similar violence. The special fund to be known as S.O.P.H.I.E stands for "S tamp O ut P rejudice H atred (and) I ntolerance E verywhere" aiming to "provide an appropriate memorial; a lasting legacy to raise awareness of the injustice perpetrated against Sophie Lancaster and to work towards a more tolerant, less violent society."

There is now an official Sophie Myspace page :

Myspace "In Memory of Sophie" - Official memorial site for Sophie Lancaster created by her family and friends

Sophie Lancaster Memorial Book

http://www.legacy.com/TheRossendaleFreePress/DeathNotices.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=93459606

Sophie Tribute Unites A Town

12 hour Memorial concert was held in Bacup on the weekend with 10 bands. Local football club donates proceedings of match to S.O.P.H.I.E fund. The local townsfolk have really pulled together to express horror at this vicious attack.

Police investigation rules out further arrests [scroll down]

POLICE are not expecting to make any further arrests in relation to the attack on Sophie Lancaster and her boyfriend Robert Maltby.

Detective Inspector Dean Holden, who has headed up the investigation from the start, said: 'I have been encouraged by the amount of people who have come forward with information and I am grateful for the positive reporting we have received.

'We have spoken to in excess of 100 people in the course of this inquiry and many of those people were young people and of course there are criteria to interviewing and speaking to young people.

'During the night of 10 August into the early hours of 11 August there were probably 15-20 young people in the park at various times. However, not all of them were present during the attack.

'The park is a meeting place and, during the night, children come and go.

'We are not looking at making any further arrests. I am very grateful for the help we have received and since this incident we have had a lot of support from members of the community and that is good.'

The police originally were looking for a further more people who were present during the attack as well as the 5 already under arrest. The next stage in the court process is October 18^th.

Whitby

October Whitby Gothic Weekend is to be dedicated to Sophie’s honour. She visited there in October 2005 with Rob. A collection organised from numerous local goth nights as well as at Whitby has been coordinated by Martin Oldgoth of Insanitorium to arrange a bench in her honour at Whitby. Good article in the goth friendly Whitby Gazette:
”An information stall will be set up in the Pavilion over the weekend of 26 October where small black ribbon roses will be sold to be worn in her memory, and donations accepted to help pay for a memorial bench and plaque to be installed.”

Contact Martin Oldgoth to contribute to the Whitby bench fund

http://www.insanitorium.co.uk/news.htm

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=1359736&blogID=312260861

The list of other Memorial events includes:

Charnel House in Newcastle Upon Tyne (6th Oct)

Eccentrik Festival North Carolina USA (Oct 12.07 - Oct 14.07)

The Coven (Luton) October 13th

Dominion in Dublin 13th of October

Faith and the Muse/Beauty of Gemina/Razorblade Kisses gig in London (14th Oct)

B-Movie in London (12th Oct)

Dr Fells and Dr Fells Live in Basingstoke (19th/20th October) are now holding collections.

Misery Of Sound- Blackpool 19th October- SCREAMING BANSHEE AIRCREW + PSYDOLL [japan] + PINK HEARSE

Mas - Cambridge Friday 26th October

Whitby Gothic Weekend Fri 26th - Sat 27th October

3 Nov 2007 14:00 The Sir Charles Napier Memorial Concert @ Blackburn

23 Nov 2007 19:00 ’Make A Noise’ punk gig, Accrington

24 Nov 2007 19:00 Metal gig night at the Adelphi , Accrington

25 Nov 2007 19:00 Sophie Lancaster Memorial Concert @ St Mary’s Chambers Rawenstall

Jazz night at the Jolly Sailor in Waterfoot on 25 November