Relatives angered over Knutsford cemetery health and safety work (From Knutsford Guardian)

Relatives angered over Knutsford cemetery health and safety work

4:42pm Wednesday 1st July 2009

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RELATIVES were last week angered after workmen poured soil over loved ones’ graves because of health and safety concerns.

One man was seen laying turf on his grandparents’ grave in an attempt to tidy up the site.

Another woman contacted the Guardian on Thursday to say her parents’ resting place was covered in weeds and thistles.

“I was standing there looking around in disbelief,” she said.

“The cemetery is nothing short of am absolute disgrace.”

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It is believed some of the ground in the cemetery off Tabley Road has begun to collapse.

Last week Cheshire East Council said it had sent workmen to level off the land.

The crew poured soil over some uneven ground and put down grass seed.

Yesterday, Tuesday, the borough authority said it was routine maintenance and the grass would grow back.

“The weeds won’t be there anymore,” said a spokesman.

“We’re very aware of the situation and we’re asking people to bear with us.”

For years relatives, whose loved ones are buried in the graveyard, have complained to the Guardian about overgrown grass, decaying flowers and fallen branches.

Last week Mrs Lees said the upkeep of the site - also known as Tabley Hill Cemetery - had improved in recent months.

But she was dismayed when she visited the cemetery to lay flowers for father’s day and her late mother’s birthday.

“The section of the cemetery where my parents’ grave lies is overrun with weeds,” she said in a letter to the Guardian.

During her visit Mrs Lees also noticed a couple who were tidying their grandparents’ grave.

She said the man was laying new rolls of turf, while the woman used a petrol lawnmower and gardening tools to repair the area.

“They had been so upset when they visited the week before,” she said.

“They felt that they had to come back and try to restore the graves to their former glory.”

Mrs Lees said she did not blame the council for trying to level the land.

But she believes the workmen should have used better quality soil.

Yesterday Cheshire East said the work had to be done.

“We’ve had to level it out as it’s a health and safety issue,” said a spokesman.

“We’re very aware of it and we’re trying our best to fix it.”

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