The regeneration of the area around York’s Clifford’s Tower should include a Peace Garden commemorating a historic atrocity and offering a contemplative space for all, a Jewish group has said.
York’s Liberal Jewish Community stated an 1190 Memorial Garden in the Castle and Eye of York scheme would provide a place to mark and learn about the medieval massacre.
Community engagement officer Lilian Coulson said such a space would make an ideal Peace Garden for York where people of different faiths could come together and learn from the atrocity.
Plans for the scheme stated it included a place for reflection for the 1190 massacre and the York Liberal Jewish Community had been closely consulted during the design process.
It comes ahead of plans for the redevelopment of the area around Clifford’s Tower going before councillors for a decision on Thursday, December 11.
The almost £10 million scheme would see the 298-space Castle Car Park closed in the spring to create a new park, play area, riverside walk and circular path around Clifford’s Tower.
It includes areas and features in a nod to the site’s historic past including sculptural walls marking the entrance to the fortress gate entrance.
An area dubbed The Swathe would also be created to represent the moat which was once at York Castle and the historical influence of water on the site.
Plans have also been drawn up for an 1190 Memorial Space to mark the death of up to 150 Jews in the keep of York Castle while surrounded by a mob below.
The space would sit in the path close to the steps leading up to the entrance of Clifford’s Tower and feature seasonal planting and seating.
Ducting would also be installed at the 1190 area for lighting which could be used to illuminate public art or a sculpture in the future.
Interpretations telling the story of 1190 are set to be included along with those about the site’s wider history but they are not part of plans being decided on Thursday.
The York Liberal Jewish Community stated in its submission the planned memorial space did not go far enough.
They called for a full memorial garden included in a previous version of scheme, which the council’s executive agreed to revise in November, to be reinstated.
An alternative design for a Peace Garden featuring a circular area with seating has been put forward as part of the Community’s submissions.
Community Engagement Officer Ms Coulson said the space needed to recognise the unique and exceptional history of the site and serve the needs of those who use it.
Ms Coulson said: “The current proposals include a radial walkway around the base of the mound, but this has no Jewish significance and the Community considers it will have limited contemplative value given the adjoining traffic.
“The proposed Memorial Area is considered very unsatisfactory and fails to commemorate not only the importance of the site within Jewish history but its national and international importance to the Jewish community as a whole.
“Our priority has always been for a proper inclusive space that is multifunctional: a commemoration for those who died here in 1190, a safe and respectful proper reflective space for those who wish to come here to pray and quietly think, an informed functional space for school and tour groups to learn about Clifford’s Tower and its history, and a quiet seating space for all.
“A contemplative garden for all, where people can quietly sit to consider the past and celebrate that in York we stand together, would be a wonderful statement and legacy and should be provided at the earliest possible date.”
Dr Jeremy Ashbee, head curator of properties at English Heritage which manages Clifford’s Tower, said the 1190 space currently proposed was wholly inadequate.
Dr Ashbee said in his submission on the plans: “The 1190 Memorial Space is in a designated area not separate from the main access path and principally formed of hard surfaces.
“For the anticipated uses of private contemplation and communal commemorative ceremonies, an area set aside from the access path network is essential.”
Speaking at a council Executive meeting in November, the authority’s Labour major projects spokeperson Cllr Katie Lomas said the scheme aimed to be sensitive to the site’s difficult history.
Council Labour Deputy Leader Cllr Pete Kilbane said they recognised the scheme did not deliver everything that some had wanted.
But he added the plans were not the end of the road for marking 1190 and other historical events at the site.
