Widow's cemetery appeal falls on deaf ears

WIDOW Cynthia Edwards has launched a petition for a fence around a cemetery she says is being blighted by thefts and dog fouling.

Last week the Advertiser reported that thieves had tried to steal silver from a grave at Greasbrough Lane cemetery in Rawmarsh.

Now, Mrs Edwards (71), whose husband Joseph was buried at the cemetery two years ago, said there are also problems with dog fouling and other thefts.

Mrs Edwards, of Dawson Avenue, Rawmarsh, said: “They are just pinching off any graves. It does not matter what it is, they will take it.

“Last year I started asking the council and Dignity, who manage the site, to put fencing up because people were getting through and stealing from the graves.

“Everybody in the community is talking about it.”

More than 70 people have already backed Mrs Edwards’ campaign calling for the site to be made secure.

But cemetery managers claim a fence would be costly and ineffective.

She claimed the gate was often left open at night making it easy for people to access the site.

She said: “I could climb over the gate myself. The cemetery is just wide open.”

A spokesman for Rotherham Borough Council and Dignity, who manage the site on behalf of the council, said the attempted theft reported in the Advertiser last week was the only one it had received in the last six months.

But Mrs Edwards insisted: “It’s not the first time.”

She added: “At the moment I am fuming. I am really mad. I am going to to take it all the way.

“I am not letting go. All I want is fencing with spikes.”

The cemetery has also been left a muddy bog after heavy rainfall over the winter.

But Dignity said it might carry out drainage improvements later in the year.

The spokesperson added: “It is our priority to ensure the cemetery is a safe place for visitors, with pleasant and attractive grounds.

“Council officers and Dignity staff have visited the site on numerous occasions over the past few weeks and have found no evidence of any damage to headstones, drug use or dog fouling.

“In the last six months, we have received only one report of a theft.

“The cemetery boundary consists of a combination of fencing and a hedge, with a lockable gate to prevent vehicles driving onto the site out of hours.

“In our view, erecting a fence would be both costly and ineffective, and spoil the environment for visitors.

“In addition, Dignity staff are on site periodically each day to undertake work in the cemetery and to lock and unlock the gates.

“We always welcome suggestions as to how we can improve our facilities and service and, given Cynthia Edwards’ concerns, we will arrange for signs to be put up to remind dog owners of their responsibilities.

“Once ground conditions have improved in the spring we will also investigate the options for improving drainage but this may not be possible due to the number of existing graves.

“In the meantime, if anyone sees any suspicious behaviour within the cemetery, we would encourage them to contact the police on their 101 number.”