Recently, when I was out and about speaking to local people, I met a concerned constituent who had visited her local Cemetery and was deeply saddened by what she found. Cut branches & foliage and heaps of grass cuttings littering the gravesides, weed killer on the gravestones, headstones in disarray and out of place, and her own parent's gravestone out of its foundations. Having buried three of my own grandparents in the last couple of years, I know what a special place these places hold in our hearts. They are among the most personal and sacred places to people, and it is vital that they are maintained with the utmost respect.
I took this issue to Durham County CouncilĀ and I'm pleased to report that they have responded positively. They promptly inspected Mrs A's parent's headstone and the cemetery and have initiated measures to restore it to its rightful place, along with a broader clean-up effort for the entire cemetery.
Losing a loved one is never easy. Preserving the dignity of their final resting place is of utmost importance. If you've observed similar concerns or have any issues related to our cemeteries, please don't hesitate to reach out to the Council or councillors and if you get stuck, directly to me and my team via www.richardholden.org.uk/contact. I am here to help and will do everything I can to ensure our sacred spaces are respected.