Families shocked over cemetery work

Families have been left horrified after a 'clean up' at an historic Black Country cemetery left parts of graves piled high.

Work started last month to remove dilapidated and neglected graves at Wood Green Cemetery in Wednesbury.

However, visitors to the Wood Green Road site have now complained after piles of broken gravestones have been piled up around the cemetery, sparking complaints from visitors.

Father-of-three Alan Harward, aged 71, of Leslie Drive, Gospel Oak, Tipton, said he was appalled.

"Gravestones appear to have been broken up and thrown into skips for removal," he said.

"Some graves appear to have been restored while others have been removed and there seems to be no reason for this.

"I would advise any one who has ancestors buried in the cemetery to pay a visit and if they are appalled as I was, they should write and complain to Sandwell Council before it is too late."

His brother Harold, who died aged seven in 1938, of diphtheria is buried in the cemetery as well as his parents Harold and Venus.

The retired hydraulics industry worker who lives with his wife Sandra, aged 68, added: "I've been visiting the cemetery every couple of months because I'm a member of the Sandwell Family History Society.

"Some of my friends who are also interested in family history were very concerned when we saw what was being done," he said.

Wednesbury North Councillor Elaine Costigan, said the work was welcomed as it was making graves safe. But she added residents should have been better informed as the difference would come as a shock.

She said: "A lot of people move out of the area and don't come back, or only come back once a year so they would be shocked to see this.

Councillor Derek Rowley, cabinet member for safer neighbourhoods, said: "I can confirm that we have removed some memorials under orders.

"We are able to remove memorials which are deemed unsafe."