2012 is the 400th anniversary of the trials of the Pendle Witches, which led to 10 people being hanged at Gallows Hill in Lancaster. They didn't have access to a lawyer or any legal advice, and according to the BBC article, the main prosecution witness was a mere 9 years old!
There are events planned which include a guided walk taking place on 18th March, A sculpture trail in the woods around Barley (a small village at the foot of Pendle Hill), and guided walks around Lancaster Castle where the accused spent their final days on earth.
Councillor Johnathan Eyre is reported to have said "Hundreds of thousands of visitors a year are drawn to Pendle because of this most dramatic episode in our country's history. These visitors help boost the local economy and bring in £78m a year, helping to support local jobs and services."
With reference to my previous blog entry about trying to get a pardon for these poor unfortunates. It would seem like a publicity stunt that could badly backfire on the local economy. Seems like a moral dilemma doesn't it? Here is the BBC article http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-17385768
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