The plot thickens! Passerby saw artist paint ‘Banksy’ in Scotton

As speculation mounts over a “Banksy” mural in Scotton, a passerby has claimed she saw the artist in the act.

The owners of the historic Guy Fawkes Arms found the piece on the pub’s wall earlier this week and are currently trying to find out whether it is a genuine work by the notorious street artist.

Guy Fawkes lived in Scotton. The mural, which bears a Banksy signature, shows Guy dropping covid passports into a burning Houses of Parliament.

Danielle and Adam Vear, who own the pub, were shocked to discover the design at around 3.30pm on Wednesday.

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While the Vears await news from the Pest Control website, which was set up to verify Banksy pieces, a witness has come forward.

Lucy Anne Morgan happened to be passing the pub on Wednesday and told the Stray Ferret:

“I was driving past the pub at around 3.30pm. I saw two men. One guy was finishing off the spray job and another, who was wearing a red hoodie, had a camera.

“They definitely looked a bit suspicious. I don’t know if Banksy would paint it in the middle of the day with a witness but it could be.”

Has Banksy painted a mural in Scotton?

The owners of the historic Guy Fawkes Arms in Scotton are trying to find out whether a mural, which appeared on their pub yesterday, is a genuine Banksy.

Danielle and Adam Vear were shocked to discover the image featuring Guy Fawkes, who lived in the village, when it appeared in broad daylight yesterday at about 3.30pm.

The spray paint and stencil mural, which bears a Banksy signature, shows covid passports dropping from a barrel held by Fawkes into a burning Houses of Parliament.

The quality of the mural, plus the fact it was done so quickly, suggests it is the work of a talented artist. But is it a Banksy? Ms Vear said:

“I really don’t know. Whoever did it is good and put a lot of thought into it. Everyone is intrigued by it.”

The couple think the artist appeared when they were in the pub. Remarkably, nobody seems to have spotted them even though the pub is situated in the heart of the village.

The Vears are now trying to verify the work by contacting the pest control website set up for such a purpose.

If it is a Banksy, it would be worth millions of pounds.

The pub, which dates back to the 1700s, reopens today for outdoor drinks only and Ms Vear insists the mural isn’t an elaborate publicity stunt.

“The whole thing is just bizarre.”

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Scotton bonfire will be back but will never burn a Guy

Tonight is fireworks night but events across the Harrogate district have been cancelled.

It is usually a special night in Scotton, the small village on the outskirts of Knaresborough where Guy Fawkes grew up.

Fawkes’ home, Scotton Old Hall, is the most famous landmark in the village and still stands today.

The village always lights a bonfire on November 5 but refuses to burn an effigy out of respect for its former resident.

That does not deter visitors though as the event attracts about 1,500 people each year.

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But this year will be different.

Scotton Cricket Club, whose players sport badges displaying Guy Fawkes, organises the event.

The club’s chairman, Andy Marshall, told the Stray Ferret:

“It is a very popular event, people come from all over the country because we have strong connections with Guy Fawkes.

“As we have that connection we will never burn a Guy. Instead we burn other bits of timber and always have a big fireworks display.”

Coronavirus may have forced the event’s cancellation this year but Mr Marshall promises it will be back “bigger and better”.

Community groups to carry out speed checks in district villages

Community groups will be out in Hampsthwaite, Scotton and Tockwith tomorrow to check for speeding motorists.

The groups will be supported by North Yorkshire Police, using equipment to monitor speeds and pass information to officers.

The county-wide initiative could result in drivers being prosecuted based on the information supplied by the community groups. Jamie Smith, of North Yorkshire Police’s Traffic Bureau, said:

“Speeds of 60mph-plus through 30mph communities are unbelievably irresponsible, and clearly highlight that we need to continue doing everything we can to prevent them.

“If a child was to run into the road or a vehicle was to unexpectedly pull out of junction, the outcome would be unthinkable.

“Like us, residents are all too aware of these dangers and are fed up of motorists tearing through their communities and putting lives at risk.

“Community Speed Watch group do a very important job and we’re extremely grateful to everyone who gives up their time to support this valued work. We bring together police resources, tactics and teams along side these groups to pack a real punch against speeding and other dangerous road use.”

At the same time, officers from North Yorkshire Police will be on key routes through the county to check for unroadworthy vehicles. They will also be looking for other hazards, such as driving while using a mobile or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, not wearing a seatbelt, tailgating, and uninsured vehicles.

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