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Grave damage causes anger

Rawcliffe cemetery has been described as a 'disgrace' by village residents after graves were badly damaged and neglected.

More than 40 graves, including those of war heroes, have been chipped, scratched and broken, allegedly by a machine which is used to cut the grass in the cemetery off Snaith Road.

The extent of the damage was discovered by resident Katrina Johnson after she found pieces of her relative's grave mixed in with the grass cuttings. She explained: "We went to lay flowers on my partner's grandmother's grave and we noticed the grass had been cut. Then we discovered the front left-hand side of the grave had been damaged and when we looked around we found chunks from the corner mixed in with the grass which had just been left behind.

"We had a look around and found a further 43 graves were damaged, 18 of which had traces of green paint on from where we think the grass cutter has gone past."

Katrina, along with other family members, has since contacted Rawcliffe Parish Council about the damage and the overall appearance of the cemetery, which she describes as 'appalling'.

"We got a response by letter from the council, which said the contractor who cuts the grass has no knowledge of the damage and takes no responsibility for it.

"We felt humiliated by the letter. It was like they think they can do what they want. The cemetery is in an appalling state but the majority of people who are laid to rest in there are people who have lived in the parish all their lives and it is thanks to them the village has what it has today,"Katrina said.

Despite the council carrying out some ongoing renovation work in areas of the cemetery, Katrina says the overall maintenance is not up to standard.

"The weeds have been left to grow really high. They have put down weed-killer once in the last 12 months, after that they have been cutting them, which is no good because they grow back thicker and faster.

"There is a sign up at the cemetery which says work is being carried out to improve it, but this was meant to be completed by April this year and now it is in a worse state than when they started.

"I know of people who have volunteered their time and tools for free, so why not let them do it?"

As well as the damage to the graves, Katrina says the overall approach to the cemetery is unacceptable and not up to the standard of other local parishes.

OVERGROWN WEEDS

"No other cemetery has grass cuttings just left all over and overgrown weeds. Stainforth cemetery is a lot bigger but kept in a lot better condition," she said.

Fellow Rawcliffe resident Albert Wilson, whose wife's grave is amongst the damaged ones, added: "The machine that is used to cut the grass is very wide. How can you possibly cut it without hitting the headstones? It does not make sense.

"We have written letters about the state of the cemetery in the past but have got nowhere. It is not acceptable. If we were to damage council property they would be on to us. A grave is the property of the person who has paid for it, so the council should pay for the damage.

"It is heartbreaking to see my wife's grave in this condition. She loved this village but now everything is getting neglected. Rawcliffe used to be known as the Queen of Villages, but now it is too much hassle for them to look after."

Joan Clarkson, also a Rawcliffe resident, agreed: "My late husband is buried in the cemetery and his grave is chipped. It is just not good enough."

'NO MONEY AVAILABLE'

Yvonne Chapman, who left Rawcliffe in 1961 but has family members buried in the cemetery, said: "I come back to Rawcliffe regularly to tend to my family members' graves and I am devastated at the condition they are in. I have complained but the excuse I am given is that there is no money available."

Another resident, Joy Krawciw, told of her distress after finding chips and scratches all over her mother's headstone: "What else are we left with other than their grave when our loved ones have passed on? It is nice to have a place to go to and remember them by, but it is hurtful when you see it has been damaged. People are paying up to thousands of pounds for headstones which are just getting ruined. It is very sad."

All the residents were appalled to find that the graves of war heroes, which the council receives funding to maintain, were also not kept up to the standard they expected.

"It is a disgrace. These people fought for our country but their graves are not being looked after like they should be, it is a real shame," said Mr Wilson.

Rawcliffe Parish Council clerk Mrs P. A. Sykes told the Goole Times that work had been taking place since January to improve the old part of the village cemetery.

"The old part of the cemetery is currently undergoing renovation but work has been delayed after our first contractor left us high and dry at a crucial time," she said.

"It has taken us several weeks to find another contractor but the parish council now believe he is the best person for the job. We do receive funding to maintain the war graves and they are looked after very well. There are a lot of people who do voluntary work at the cemetery and it is very good that they do but that is nothing to do with the council."

Mrs Sykes also added that the council took advice regarding the contents of the letter which they sent back to Katrina about her relative's grave.

Katrina and Albert have now requested a meeting with the parish council so they can discuss the situation with councillors and fellow villagers and are waiting for a reply.

"There is no need for the cemetery to be in this state. It is a real kick in the teeth when you spend your time and love trying to make the grave look nice and it just gets lost in all the weeds.

"I would haunt my family if they were to lay me to rest in a cemetery in that mess," said Katrina.

Published on 28th August 2008 in News.

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