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Grave kerbs to go in bid to tidy cemetery

Stephanie Turner
23/11/2006

GRAVE owners are being urged to come forward as Hyndburn Council prepares to remove old kerbstones surrounding certain graves which have fallen into disrepair.

The council is planning to tidy up Great Harwood Cemetery by removing some of the surrounding stone.

Headstones will not be removed as part of the repair work.

The cemetery was opened in August 1887 and, as years have passed, many graves are no longer visited and the condition of the stones has deteriorated.

Although some of the graves are very old, there may be some owners still living in the area and they are being urged to come forward and assist with the project.

In most instances, the grave owner is now also buried in the grave and the cemetery office has no records of descendants so they cannot be contacted.

Councillor Peter Clarke, Cabinet member with responsibility for cemeteries, said: "Although it's the responsibility of the owner of the burial rights and not the council's to maintain the graves, as landowner we want to keep the cemetery maintained to a high standard.

"If we don't hear from any grave owners, we will remove the kerbs but keep any which are in good condition.

"After kerb removal the grave space will be soiled to level the ground and then seeded or turfed.

"The ground will then be maintained as part of the cemetery grass-cutting programme."

A family which wishes to restore a grave to a state of good repair should contact a mason to arrange the work.

Thy are are asked to keep the cemetery office informed as to the course of action that they have taken.

Any inquiries should be addressed to The Cemetery Office, Burnley Road, Accrington, BB5 6HA.

For more information ring 232933.