Grave fears from grieving families that yobs could strike at Pandy cemetery
Published date: 26 May 2016 |
Published by: Jonathan GrieveRead more articles by Jonathan Grieve
GRIEVING families have said they are afraid of potential anti-social behaviour at a cemetery where their loved ones are buried.
Wrexham Council is currently trialling new opening hours at Pandy cemetery where the gates are left open overnight in response to requests from people who claimed that the opening hours were not long enough.
However some bereaved relatives are upset that the new arrangement is leaving their relatives’ graves vulnerable to potential cases of anti-social behaviour.
Amy Leach, 26, from Eyton, said she is particularly unsettled at the idea the grave of her son, who died at just two-years-old, might be vandalised or damaged.
Ms Leach said: “Obviously, there are a lot of people who are really upset about this.
“Before I lost my son, I did not have to worry about tending any graves but now, it is all I’ve got left
of him and the thought that it is open to being damaged is unsettling for me.
“It’s bad enough that I’ve had to bury my child. But if somebody did something to his grave I would be devastated, even if it was accidental.”
Ms Leach added she had heard rumours of instances of flowers being damaged and objects being removed from graves at the cemetery, as well as cases of youths drinking there and others driving cars around a road which loops into the cemetery.
She added: “I chose that cemetery for a reason. It’s really well kept and the people there are nice; the other families and the people that work there. I did not just want to put my son anywhere.
“We are not trying to be awkward, but this place means a lot to us.”
Ms Leach’s fears were shared by Kathy Gardner from Marford, whose husband is buried at the cemetery.
Mrs Gardner said: “The council have had complaints from people asking for the gates to be open later but I think if it came to a vote, there would only be a few people who actually wanted the opening hours to be later.”
Ms Leach added she is hoping to start a petition in response to the issue if the problem persists.
Cllr David A Bithell, lead member for environment and transport, said: “I am aware there are some concerns from cemetery visitors that we are undertaking a six month trial of leaving the cemetery gates open.
“I fully understand these concerns. However, there are other cemetery users who have complained to us the opening hours are restricting their rights to visit the graves of their loved ones.
“The trial is working well, staff are visiting the cemetery out of hours (evening and early morning) and there has been no evidence that anti-social behaviour is taking place.
“So far the only people at the cemetery at these times were visiting graves which they would not have been able to do if normal opening times were in place.
“Our security services will also be checking the cemetery at night so we can further monitor the trial.
“We have also spoken to colleagues in neighbouring authorities about their opening hours and they advise that they close only a third of cemeteries during the night.
“We will review the situation following the trial period when all evidence and comments will be taken into account before any decision is taken on future opening hours.
“In the meantime, feedback from cemetery users is very welcome to allow us to make a fully informed decision when the time comes and this can be given by calling Pentrebychan Crematorium on 01978 840068 or emailing crematorium@ wrexham.gov.uk.”
see-http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/162483/grave-fears-from-grieving-families-that-yobs-could-strike-at-pandy-cemetery.aspx
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