‘Local vote’ could let town decide on Black’s Head fate
ASHBOURNE Town Council says it is keen to see the controversial Black’s Head coming back to Ashbourne’s ownership – but only if it can afford its upkeep.
Councillors discussed the future of the carving on Tuesday. It was squirrelled away from its perch on the Green Man gallows sign in the summer.
They have now decided on a formal response to Derbyshire Dales District Council, which is storing it. Mayor Sean Clayton will address district councillors next Thursday, spelling out the town’s position. After a lengthy discussion, councillors discussed potential costs of taking back ownership of the sign, which was gifted to the district council several years ago.
And while the town is keen to see it come back to Ashbourne, all councillors expressed concerns over what its upkeep would cost and there was a suggestion the district could be asked to pay for its renovation before a handover.
Members also expressed a keenness to put the decision over the head’s future to the town, by way of referendum or a consultation. The cost of this, they surmised, might be something the district council could also shoulder.
Initially, town councillors were anxious about the costs of taking on ownership.
But speaking at Tuesday’s Zoom meeting, Councillor Denise Brown set out to ease some concerns.
She said: “It’s part of Ashbourne’s history and I think that this council would be very unpopular if we didn’t make some moves to get the head returned to Ashbourne, regardless of where we put it after we’ve got it. And I think that those people in Ashbourne will want that head returned, with the history behind it. Now, whether that’s back on the gallows, or whether it’s put in a heritage museum, I absolutely think this council really needs to stick its neck on the line here for this.
“And it is a matter of the decision of the people that live in the DE6 postcode. It really should go out to a referendum.”
Other councillors agreed that the town should be deciding what happens next. The town council will now prepare an official statement, to be read out by the mayor at next week’s meeting, outlining its position, its reservations and its pleas for help with the costs.
Sue Bull, who also sits on the district council, summarised: “I think the consensus is that it should come back to Ashbourne and the council is willing to have this back because it’s part of Ashbourne’s heritage – but upon the understanding that a public consultation states that that’s what the public wishes to happen to it.
“Maybe looking to the fact that it could be preserved or repaired, if there is any need, by the district council, because it is in their ownership. I think we’ve got to make that approach to say we don’t want it at a financial cost to us. Yes, there will be an ongoing cost if it goes back on the gallows, and not necessarily if it goes in a museum. I think if we had a show of hands, we’d all want it back in Ashbourne but we have to do it the right way.”
The district council meeting on Thursday, November 26, will include an opportunity for public consultation, and it will be broadcast on the authority’s YouTube channel.