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£19.99Whitby’s biannual Goth Weekend, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, has been hailed as a “safe and accepting” space by its attendees. The festival, which began as a one-off meeting of pen-friends in The Elsinore pub, now attracts large crowds to the town’s cobbled streets, and plays host to live music and stalls. Elaine Horton, owner of goth shop Pandemonium, credits the festival with providing a boost to her business, which first opened in 1999. Ms Horton also noted the subculture’s diversity: “Believe it or not there are probably around 35 types of goth.”
The Sophie Lancaster Foundation charity has had a presence at Whitby Goth Weekend since Lancaster was killed in 2007. The 20-year-old, who was dressed in gothic clothing at the time, was murdered in a park in Lancashire. The foundation, which educates people about the impact of hate crime, raises money at the festival and Elloise Dickinson, education and engagement manager of the charity, described the gathering as a “special place for the foundation.” Ms Dickinson added: “It’s important for others to see alternative people look so amazing in a way they feel comfortable… celebrate difference in culture and celebrate diversity.”
The festival, which takes place in April and October, has allowed goths to travel from across the globe to Whitby. Dr Crank, who runs ghost walks in the town, said he had watched the festival grow into a “worldwide event,” and that: “The reason the goths like to come to Whitby, especially this time of the year, is it’s atmospheric.” Merryn Wilderspin, an artist and designer from Malton, has created two Whitby Goth Weekend collections of her made-to-order designer bags. Although she admits she “can’t falsely claim to be a die-hard goth,” Wilderspin enjoys being part of the festival’s “fun atmosphere.”
The festival has become a staple of the town’s calendar, celebrating Whitby’s association with Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula. The 30th birthday party for the event will take place on 3 November. Pandemonium owner Horton remains grateful for the festival’s fostering of the goth subculture as a whole: “The Goth festivals have kept the goth scene alive for 30-odd years.
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