Whitby Goth video: Taking to the roads in a coffin

Fans of all things frightful are being offered the chance to jump on a machine named Morticia and take a ride - in a coffin.
Howard Smith drives Morticia, a velocipede with a side car coffin containing John Fletcher, down Whitby Pier. Picture: Ross Parry AgencyHoward Smith drives Morticia, a velocipede with a side car coffin containing John Fletcher, down Whitby Pier. Picture: Ross Parry Agency
Howard Smith drives Morticia, a velocipede with a side car coffin containing John Fletcher, down Whitby Pier. Picture: Ross Parry Agency

Riders who dare to enter the wooden box can have an open casket or choose the spine-chilling option of riding in the coffin with the lid closed.

The eerie excursion is being offered on the west pier in Whitby on Saturday, when the Whitby Goth Weekend takes place.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Meanwhile, Whitby Abbey is illuminated this week ahead of the town’s annual Gothic weekend where visitors will encounter costumed characters, including grave robbers and witches.

It will be the 21st year that the event, which started in a local pub’s back room as a music event, has taken place.

The first festival-goers back in 1994 gathered in the Elsinore pub on Flowergate. Now there are several thousand people flocking to Whitby for what has been turned into a unique spectacle, attracting Goths from all over the world.

Although the main events take place on the Saturday and Sunday (October 31 and November 1) there are a few fringe events to get the weekend kick-started.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

On Thursday night, RAW nightclub is hosting a fundraiser for the Sophie Lancaster Foundation and over the weekend there will be more special guests at the club on Wellington Road as well as at Abbey Wharf (formerly The Shambles).

Whitby Abbey is illuminated ahead of Whitby Gothic weekend. Pictures by Owen Humphreys/PA WireWhitby Abbey is illuminated ahead of Whitby Gothic weekend. Pictures by Owen Humphreys/PA Wire
Whitby Abbey is illuminated ahead of Whitby Gothic weekend. Pictures by Owen Humphreys/PA Wire

Venturing further afield, Goths will find the HotRod Kustom cars on the West Cliff, 120 stalls full of alternative clothing at the Bizarre Bazaar in the Pavilion and, later on, the stage will also be set over Friday and Saturday night for the bands line-up.

It features Altered Images, Fearless Vampire Killers, Bad Pollyanna and Chasing Dragons on Friday night and then for Saturday, Spear of Destiny, The Last Cry, Vince Ripper and the Rodent Show and In Isolatiion.

Many Goths also visit Whitby for the event because they can enjoy being creative with their outfits, meeting up with friends and taking in the spectacular sights of the weekend.

Pubs, restaurants and local businesses are also looking forward to the weekend which is a boost for trade and the local economy before the winter sets in.

Related topics: