Sandal Castle

Comments by Philip Davis (editor of the Gatehouse website) 7 October 2016

A recent report (30 September 2016) in and that concern was noted by BBC local news has raised some concerns the staff there. It was clear to me that regarding Sandal Castle. the staff at were This report, entitled Sandal Castle graffiti concerned about Sandal and were doing attacks 'due to council neglect' reports on what they could. comments from Richard Taylor and Dr Keith Souter from the Friends of Sandal I visited Sandal Castle again on the 21st Castle group. September. While on the site, completely co-incidentally, Ian Downes and a I live a mere 5 miles from the castle colleague came to the site and spent well which I visit several times a year. I was, over an hour there, doing an inspection, therefore, disappointed early this year and collecting litter (something they do when I discovered that access into the castle bailey and onto the motte was no longer possible and that the small visitors centre had closed. As this is a castle that was a favourite spot for my late father in his youth I also have considerable sentimental attachment to this castle. Of course, given the nature of the Gatehouse website, it will be Sandal Castle before the excavations of 1964-73 of no surprise to anyone that I am a great fan of all castles and would weekly). I talked to Ian for about 10 like to preserve all of them. minutes about the site, the problems with access, concerns about damage etc.. I On a visit in the summer I had seen felt, initially, he was a little wary but children on the motte, behind the soon relaxed and was happy to talk. It is barriers that prevent access to the motte, clear to me that the but they were not doing anything I archaeology staff are keen interested considered was damaging to the site. I professionals with a genuine concern for was a bit concerned that in climbing over the castles in their care who are working the barriers they might be causing some in difficult circumstances. damage and I had mentioned that concern at Wakefield Councils other castle site It was pointed out to me that the involvement remembered by many locals vegetation on the motte hasn’t been quite fondly. I’m informed the artefacts cleared for a while and there are now that were on display are now in the city some small scrub growth and a few tree museum but I haven’t checked that. saplings. There is also a slight increase of erosion on some parts of the earthworks The site remains well used by local as people get on the bailey bypassing the people, although fundamentally as a closed bridge but this is not really place to exercise dogs, generally in a significant and is certainly not the "churn responsible manner with most people up" reported. The few bits of spray paint actually cleaning up after their dogs. This shown in the BBC report are not obvious fairly high level of pedestrian use means and, anyway, whilst distracting, are not the site is not a centre for criminal really damaging to the fabric. The bridges activity, unlike the nearby motte Lowe giving access are closed awaiting a survey Hill, in Thorpe Park, where there is report and there is no date for repair and considerable amounts of drug re-opening of these until that report is paraphernalia to be seen. done. The other routine grass-cutting of the site is being done. The site signs, Wakefield city council has three castle installed only a few years ago, are sites. Pontefract Castle, where becoming faded and do have scratched considerable work is being done and graffiti but actually are still clearly where a new visitors centre should open legible and in better condition than some early next year, Sandal and the little other sign of similar age at other sites. known Lowe Hill. Given the general reduction in monies available to councils The pleasant little visitors centre is Wakefield actually seem to be investing closed and there are no plans to re-open quite well in their castles although, of it. This is a shame as that centre had a course, I would like to see the nice display of the castle excavations for considerable investment made at Sandal the 70s which were an important example in the past continued at a level that of a major castle excavation and of an preserved that prior investment. important exercise in local community Personally I feel, dealt with cordially, might address the concerns there are, of which tree growth on the motte is a far bigger problem than spray paint on the stones, as and when it can. Dealing with the council in an aggressive way, such as a seemingly exaggerated accusation of 'neglect', will not achieve anything other than to demoralise staff and reduce their current considerable drive and desire to maintain the site. While funding of council services is a concern I hope the BBC report does not reflect the for many As I see it the biggest current actual attitude of the Friends. What the threat to the site is this apparent attitude Friends need to do is find a way of of the 'Friends' as this may give an working with Wakefield Council, and impression the site is 'unsafe' leading to a particularly with the council’s reduction in the number of casual visitors archaeological staff. They need to find who currently deter miscreants and in ways to encourage people to visit, even if demoralising staff who are actually doing they can’t actually get up onto the a pretty good job considering the climate motte. It is a delightful place for a stroll they are working in. with dynamic views over the countryside. The must not do anything that would It is, of course, a very good thing that frighten visitors off. Sandal Castle has a 'Friends' group, giving its important as an introduction to archaeology to so many local people this is to be expected. That Friends group does have a very important role to play and bring concerns to the attention of the Council is certainly a valid aspect of that role. Frightening local people and demoralising staff will not, in any way, help in that role.