A recent report (30 September 2016) in BBC local news has raised some concerns regarding Sandal Castle. This report, entitled Sandal Castle graffiti attacks 'due to council neglect' reports on comments from Richard Taylor and Dr Keith Souter from the Friends of Sandal Castle group.

I live a mere 5 miles from the castle which I visit several times a year. I was, therefore, disappointed early this year 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 of no surprise to anyone that I am a great fan of all castles and would like to preserve all of them.

On a visit in the summer I had seen children on the motte, behind the barriers that prevent access to the motte, but they were not doing anything I considered was damaging to the site. I was a bit concerned that in climbing over the barriers they might be causing some damage and I had mentioned that concern at Wakefield Councils other castle site

Pontefract and that concern was noted by the staff there. It was clear to me that the staff at Pontefract castle were concerned about Sandal and were doing what they could.

I visited Sandal Castle again on the 21st September. While on the site, completely co-incidentally, Ian Downes and a colleague came to the site and spent well over an hour there, doing an inspection, and collecting litter (something they do

weekly). I talked to Ian for about 10 minutes about the site, the problems with access, concerns about damage etc.. I felt, initially, he was a little wary but soon relaxed and was happy to talk. It is clear to me that the Wakefield archaeology staff are keen interested professionals with a genuine concern for the castles in their care who are working in difficult circumstances.

Sandal Castle before the excavations of 1964-73

Sandal CastleComments by Philip Davis (editor of the Gatehouse website)

7 October 2016

It was pointed out to me that the vegetation on the motte hasn’t been cleared for a while and there are now some small scrub growth and a few tree saplings. There is also a slight increase of erosion on some parts of the earthworks as people get on the bailey bypassing the closed bridge but this is not really significant and is certainly not the "churn up" reported. The few bits of spray paint shown in the BBC report are not obvious and, anyway, whilst distracting, are not really damaging to the fabric. The bridges giving access are closed awaiting a survey report and there is no date for repair and re-opening of these until that report is done. The other routine grass-cutting of the site is being done. The site signs, installed only a few years ago, are becoming faded and do have scratched graffiti but actually are still clearly legible and in better condition than some other sign of similar age at other sites.

The pleasant little visitors centre is closed and there are no plans to re-open it. This is a shame as that centre had a nice display of the castle excavations for the 70s which were an important example of a major castle excavation and of an important exercise in local community

involvement remembered by many locals quite fondly. I’m informed the artefacts that were on display are now in the city museum but I haven’t checked that.

The site remains well used by local people, although fundamentally as a place to exercise dogs, generally in a responsible manner with most people actually cleaning up after their dogs. This fairly high level of pedestrian use means the site is not a centre for criminal activity, unlike the nearby motte Lowe Hill, in Thorpe Park, where there is considerable amounts of drug paraphernalia to be seen.

Wakefield city council has three castle sites. Pontefract Castle, where considerable work is being done and where a new visitors centre should open early next year, Sandal and the little known Lowe Hill. Given the general reduction in monies available to councils Wakefield actually seem to be investing quite well in their castles although, of course, I would like to see the considerable investment made at Sandal in the past continued at a level that preserved that prior investment.

Personally I feel, dealt with cordially, Wakefield Council 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 for many As I see it the biggest current threat to the site is this apparent attitude of the 'Friends' as this may give an impression the site is 'unsafe' leading to a reduction in the number of casual visitors who currently deter miscreants and in demoralising staff who are actually doing a pretty good job considering the climate they are working in.

It is, of course, a very good thing that 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.

I hope the BBC report does not reflect the actual attitude of the Friends. What the Friends need to do is find a way of working with Wakefield Council, and particularly with the council’s archaeological staff. They need to find ways to encourage people to visit, even if they can’t actually get up onto the motte. It is a delightful place for a stroll with dynamic views over the countryside. The must not do anything that would frighten visitors off.