St Albans Councillor upset by state of cemetery.

Councillor Judith Holt has expressed concerns about the recent unkemptness of parts of Upminster Cemetery, plus what appears to be a reduction in the lawn mowing, gardening and cleaning services.

“The Council has only just mown the grass around the graves at Upminster Cemetery where my parents are buried, having left it uncut for months,” said the St. Alban’s Ward Conservative Councillor. “The main lawns were mown but the spaces between the graves were left full of weeds, dandelions and thistles for weeks. The grass had been allowed to encroach six inches into my parents’ grave-space, to the extent that grass was growing under one of the flower pots. The big planters near the grave don’t seem to be weeded regularly, either.”

Also, she has criticised the number and cleanliness of the lavatories. “There are only two by the cafe and two more in the main crematorium building. From what I see, the number of people attending funerals now is higher than it used to be so this is just not enough. There is a new toilet block at the edge of the cemetery but this is too far away for people attending services at one of the chapels. Also, the ladies’ toilet by the cafe is outdated and often unclean. More toilets need to be built and they need to be cleaned daily.”

Councillor Holt says she will be asking a question at the Full Council Meeting next Wednesday 24July about how frequently the public cemetery lawns are mown. “It’s upsetting enough visiting my parents’ grave at the best of times, without being greeted by this untidiness. I hope for a more attentive service in future.”

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