A MOURNER has said she “almost cried” at the state of her local cemetery when she visited it to lay flowers on a family grave.
Wheelchair user Su Robertson, 52, said she was “absolutely appalled” by the unkempt appearance of St Day Road Cemetery in Redruth.
She said the grass was so long some graves could no longer be seen.
“I recently visited my family grave and was absolutely appalled at the state of it,” she said.
“The grass had been allowed to grow so much. It was over 2ft tall in places, and the graves with low headstones couldn’t be seen at all.
“When I saw it I nearly cried. It’s absolutely disgusting.
“Another lady was at the cemetery at the same time to place flowers on a relative’s grave for her birthday,” Ms Robertson said.
“She was most upset, as she was elderly herself and couldn’t even get to it through the grass.”
With the help of her partner Mark Smith, and because her family grave is near a path, Ms Robertson managed to tidy it up, but said she remained angry at the condition of the rest of the cemetery.
“I do realise these are days of cutbacks and money-saving policies, but surely Cornwall Council has a budget for this?” she asked.
“I feel let down that the council doesn’t respect its responsibility to keep cemeteries sorted. It may not be about world peace or saving the world, but it’s about respect and honouring the dead.
“I see the lawns around County Hall beautifully cut and manicured, but what about the cemeteries, please?
“Having spoken to other people, I know cemeteries elsewhere are in the same condition.”
The West Briton has seen evidence of the problem in other council burial grounds.
The paper asked Cornwall Council for a comment on the care and maintenance of St Day Road Cemetery.
At the time of going to press, no reply had been received. However, the grass was cut on Tuesday following the West Briton’s call to the council.
Ms Robertson called it “a miracle” and has thanked the paper for its intervention.
Other posts from this source: West Briton
