Graveyard headstones to be tested for safety

COUNCIL bosses are warning people with relatives buried in Rotherham’s  churchyards and cemeteries that they will be testing headstones for safety later this month.

From Monday, September 27, a company commissioned by Rotherham Borough Council will be inspecting and testing memorials in the following seven “closed” churchyards and cemeteries:

• St James’ Churchyard, Aston.
• Constable Road Cemetery and St Leonards Churchyard, both in Dinnington.
• St Mary's Churchyard, Rawmarsh.
• St John the Baptist Churchyard, Hooton Roberts.
• St Thomas’ Churchyard, Kilnhurst.
• St Helen’s Churchyard and Cemetery, Treeton.
• St John the Baptist Churchyard and Cemetery, Wales.

A spokeswoman said that officials were trying to alert all relatives through public notices, letters to the relevant clergy and parish councils and signs in those graveyards being tested.

She said that although the cemeteries were 'closed' to further burials, the work was necessary to ensure the safety of those visiting or working in these particular cemeteries and continued the testing of all churchyards and cemeteries across the borough, which began in 2002.

“Any memorials found to be 'immediately dangerous' will be made safe at the time of testing with the memorials being laid down on the ground,” the spokeswoman added.

“Memorials that are unstable, but not immediately dangerous—i.e. those requiring further intervention to make them stable—will be identified through a sticker requesting the relatives of the deceased to contact the council, so stabilisation work can be arranged.”

Anyone requiring further information about the testing should contact the council's Culture and Leisure Services department on 0709 850344.