‘Haven of Rest’ is an “absolute disgrace”

By timesecholife on in All News, Featured News

A family member of a loved one whose ashes are buried in a Moorlands cemetery is calling for the upkeep of the site to be improved. Dianne Donohue visits the Kingsley Cemetery, which is situated next to St Werburgh’s Church, as often as she can to remember her mum Grace Byatt who passed away in 1986.

A family member of a loved one whose ashes are buried in a Moorlands cemetery is calling for the upkeep of the site to be improved.

Dianne Donohue visits the Kingsley Cemetery, which is situated next to St Werburgh’s Church, as often as she can to remember her mum Grace Byatt who passed away in 1986.

Dianne contacted the Times & Echo to air her concerns about the state of the ‘Haven of Rest’ at the site which is where people can bury the ashes of their loved ones.

Dianne said: “It’s an absolute disgrace.

“The cemetery itself looks ok but the Haven of Rest is suffering from sheer neglect.

“There is dandelions and dock leaves growing on there, and there’s lots of old artificial flowers and even Christmas wreaths on there.

“It looks like there’s been no maintenance at all in the area. And there’s two or three rose bushes which are totally out of place on it.”

Dianne, who lives in the Moorlands, added: “If I had known that the site was not kept up to scratch back in 1996, when my mum passed away, I would never have put her ashes there.

“I do visit as much as I can to remember my mum, although Covid lockdowns has stopped me from visiting as much recently.”

Dianne said that she had been to Kingsley Parish Council meetings before to express her concern over the state of the Haven of Rest.

She said: “I have been to parish council meetings in the past regarding the state of the site but nothing has been done.”

The Times & Echo contacted Kingsley Parish Council about Dianne’s concerns.

Chairman of Kingsley Parish Council Ken Unwin said: “Kingsley Parish Council are responsible for Kingsley Cemetery including a small area known as the ‘Haven of Rest,’ primarily used for the burial of cremation ashes.

“The cemetery is maintained by a contractor who visits at least every two weeks during the growing season. He also looks after the Haven of Rest.

“Relatives plant a variety of plants / shrubs in the Haven of Rest in commemoration.

“In general terms the parish council are pleased with the standard of cemetery maintenance by the new contractor in 2020 and 2021 to date.

“Having been advised of a complaint, I have been to look at the Haven of Rest earlier this evening (Monday, June 28).

“There are some weeds growing through and the plot could do with a tidy up. I have asked the contractor to attend to the Haven of Rest next time he visits the cemetery.”

ADD A COMMENT