Sophie Lancaster's name etched in silver at Rossendale charity HQ

5:00pm Thursday 21st February 2013 in News Photograph of the Author By Chris Adams

The new frontage and (inset) Sophie Lancaster The new frontage and (inset) Sophie Lancaster

A STRIKING new frontage has been installed at the headquarters of a Haslingden charity.

The laser-cut, frost-effect, acrylic Sophie Lancaster Foundation logo that adorns its new base in Deardengate measures four square feet.

The organisation moved to the town centre site last month after its old home, the Agapao Impact Centre in Bury Road, was controversially put up for sale by its owners.

The sign spells out Sophie’s name in silver retro-reflective lettering and is also emblazoned with the foundation’s motto - Stamp out prejudice, hatred and intolerance everywhere.

The design, by Huddersfield-based Boom Signs and Graphic Company, forms part of a major refurbishment of what used to be the bathroom of an adjoining flat.

Sylvia Lancaster, who set up the foundation after her 20-year-old daughter Sophie was murdered in Stubbylee Park, Bacup, in 2007, said staff were still finding their feet at their new home.

She said: “We’ve had a couple of issues getting the phones connected and some poor man was getting all the calls intended for us!

“We have our busiest period coming up with getting all the summer music festivals sorted.

“We’re going back to Download and we still have a dedicated Sophie stage at Bloodstock Open Air. I will be based in the office on Mondays and Tuesdays and there should be someone here every day of the week.”

A documentary about Sophie’s murder, filmed before Christmas, was premiered on satellite channel Crime and Investigation, on Sunday.

The group has also announced it will continue to hold its annual ‘Black Parade’ as part of Bacup and Stacksteads Carnival in June.

The Agapao site has been on the market with estate agency Trevor Dawson since November.

Haslingden MP Graham Jones raised the building’s plight in Parliament in December after residents voiced concerns at a public meeting.

Comments (2)

10:19am Fri 22 Feb 13

happycyclist says...

Pleased to see that Sophie is showing no signs of ever being forgotten.
Pleased to see that Sophie is showing no signs of ever being forgotten. happycyclist

11:44am Fri 22 Feb 13

Arlene says...

In spite of knowing about Sophie's murder at the time and living in Rossendale, I've only just heard of the SOPHIE Foundation via Facebook. Last night I watched the TV programme scheduled last Sunday. Her mother and friends are so dignified in the face of what they've suffered and I admire them greatly. As a mother of 2 daughters I can't imagine anything worse than what they've gone through. Good luck with the new headquarters in Haslingden and the work they do.
In spite of knowing about Sophie's murder at the time and living in Rossendale, I've only just heard of the SOPHIE Foundation via Facebook. Last night I watched the TV programme scheduled last Sunday. Her mother and friends are so dignified in the face of what they've suffered and I admire them greatly. As a mother of 2 daughters I can't imagine anything worse than what they've gone through. Good luck with the new headquarters in Haslingden and the work they do. Arlene

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