Outrage at condition of Melksham cemetery

LOCAL residents are outraged with Wiltshire Council for the poor maintenance of the Melksham cemetery.  

Edna Oakman contacted the Melksham News after she was forced to cut the grass around her mothers grave stone as the grass had grown to such a length that it was described as, “shocking!”

Overflowing bins have also caused further anger as users feel the site is often left until it is in a poor condition. Edna Oakman said, “It is absolutely shocking. I am distraught at the state of the cemetery. The grass is so long is resembles a unkept field. We had no choice but to cut the grass ourselves and this isn’t the first time. The bins are another issue; they are never emptied and adds to the poor state the council leave this place in.

“It is like they don’t care. I have contacted them and just get fobbed off and told that it will get looked at shortly. It’s unacceptable; people come here to remember their loved ones and don’t need the extra distress that it causes by being in such a bad way.

“The grass is always left until it is too long. Then the users of the cemetery complain and it gets cut. But, they then do it when it’s raining and the wet grass sticks to the grave stone  – meaning more time has to be spent maintaining the stones.”

Paula Newnham who also uses the cemetery agreed saying, “It is unacceptable. People come here when they are upset and emotional and shouldn’t have to put up with this.”

A Wiltshire Council spokesperson said, “We take the maintenance of our cemeteries seriously and understand it can be upsetting for people who visit if they are not kept in a satisfactory condition.

“We have brought this issue to our contractor’s attention last week, and they cut the grass earlier this week. We will continue to work together to ensure the cemetery is properly maintained in the future.”

Following the work carried out by the council Edna Oakman contacted the Melksham News to say the work completed is still unsatisfactory. She said, “It’s outrageous. I have just been to the cemetery and the headtsones are covered in grass from where they cut it. The council told me they would wipe down each of the stones afterwards as they cut it when it’s wer and it’s clear they started this work then just gave up as only some have been cleaned!”