Anger over Walsall graves at Ryecroft Cemetery

Some plots at Ryecroft Cemetery in Walsall appear to have been abandoned, with graves left to fall into a state of ruin.

A regular visitor to the grounds, Anne Thorpe, was appalled when she saw the condition of the some of the graves and has labelled their decline as disrespectful.

She suspects some of the damage could have been caused by lawnmowers and Walsall Council, which maintains the site, on Coalpool Lane, said it could not be ruled out.

However, bosses said most of the damage is believed to have been a result of weathering and movement in the ground over time. Some damage could also have been caused by vandalism, the council said.

Councillor Ian Shires, leisure and communities chief at the authority, said maintenance of the graves was ultimately down to families.

Aware

However, many date back to around 1925, meaning it is possible descendants have died, moved away or are not aware they exist meaning there could be no-one to care for them.

Miss Thorpe, aged 62, whose father was once superintendent at the cemetery and has relatives buried there, said: “We visit fairly regularly to tend family graves and for genealogy research, and we are dismayed at the state the place is in.

“We can understand that difficulties with council funding means that severe cutbacks have been made, so we can ignore the overgrown paths and occasional piles of litter. However, what is more difficult to forgive is the damage to gravestones being done by council workmen.

“While we know that many of these graves are already in a sad condition because there’s nobody left to tend them, it’s still fact that each one has the remains of someone beneath it.”

“Many do have relatives who would have the stones refurbished if it was legally possible to do so – but are prevented from doing it due to the fact that our names aren’t on the grave deeds and whoever is, or was, the grave owner cannot be found.”

She added: “It just seems there is not the consideration and care taken over the older graves.

“It’s another bit of Walsall’s history which is being lost.”

Councillor Shires said: “While no accidental damage by grass cutting machinery has been reported recently, this cannot be completely ruled out in this particular instance, due to the traditional layout of memorials and unevenness of ground levels.

“Graves in the section of the cemetery referred to date from around 1925 and in the region of 90 per cent appear to have suffered from both ground settlement and weathering.

“Historically, some vandalism has occurred in the cemetery, which may also be a contributory factor.

“Our staff are fully trained in the use of all grass cutting machinery and are aware of the sensitivities associated with carrying out maintenance in cemeteries. There are difficulties in maintaining traditional sections, particularly where grass cutting is concerned, and so our staff always take care to avoid contact between mowing equipment and adjacent memorials.

“In the traditional sections of cemeteries, a six inch ‘mowing strip’ is created around the perimeter of each memorial and sprayed out with approved herbicide. This reduces the need to mow right up to memorials and so minimises the chance of impact damage.

“We do have an inspection process for memorials and if any are found to be in a dangerous state they are made safe.

“However as memorials are private property it is the owners’ responsibility to carry out any additional work,” added Councillor Shires.

“Should anyone who visits a grave have any cause for concern we would ask them to contact us.”