Plea to help prevent damage to grassed areas at cemetery

Visitors to a cemetery are being urged to prevent damage to grassed areas on the site.

Thurcroft Parish Council has issued a notice after damage to grass verges in Thurcroft Cemetery.

The notice says: “Please take care in the cemetery as we are seeing some damage to the grass, some of which has recently been reseeded.

“Please work with us to keep this space looking its best.”

The cemetery hit the headlines earlier this year after Thurcroft Parish Council closed the main gates permanently in April after cars, vans and motorcycles were driven onto the cemetery premises, intimidating groups gathered, there was alleged drug and alcohol use, loud music was played and a warden was subjected to verbal abuse.

But the move sparked controversy after visitors said they could not access loved ones’ graves.

Pedestrian access to the side of the cemetery had remained open with a gate accessible by wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

But the parish council relented and since October 4 the gates are now unlocked from 9am until 3pm each Sunday and Wednesday.

However, the parish council said they would be fastened again if the anti-social behaviour became an issue once more.

A spokesman for Thurcroft Parish Council told the Advertiser recently that the decision to open the gates had been “well received”.