Flintshire cemetery visitors in tears over appearance

Visitors to New Brighton Road Cemetery in Bagillt have reported the issue of uncut grass to Flintshire Council, claiming it poses a safety risk.

When Caren Jones took her 75-year-old aunty and her husband to their son's resting place on Wednesday (May 29), she claims the pair "really struggled."

New Brighton Cemetery (Image: Craig Robinson)

Having to strim the grass around the graves, she admits she had never seen it like that before and they all left "extremely upset."

Caren said: "I also visited myself the day before her for my Dad's grave and was extremely shocked to see the cemetery in such a state. I also thought to myself that I had never seen it like that before. However it was seeing my aunty crying that prompted me to contact you.

"The council always default to budget as an excuse for poor service including taking care of the cemeteries. There must be so many upset families out there who feel powerless."

Another Flintshire resident Linda Williams admitted to being left in tears after her visit to the cemetery. She said: "I was in tears last night over the mess of New Brighton Road Cemetery in Bagillt.

"I contacted my local councillor Mr Robert Davies who informed me that they are only getting the grass cut twice a year. Surely laying our loved ones to rest and tending to the graves surely should be a priority.

"I have bought a plot next to my mother and father ready for the inevitable but I now feel like asking for my money back as no way would I like to be laid to rest there as it’s a terrible sight to see."

Kelsterton Cemetery, Connah's Quay (Image: UGC)

Similar concerns have also been raised regarding Flint Cemetery. A visitor described the overgrown grass as "absolutely disgraceful" after claiming she could hardly walk to visit her niece. 

"It was lovely at one point", she added. "But even when they cut it, they leave the grass everywhere."

Chief officer for Streetscene and Transportation, Katie Wilby, said: “Forming part of Flintshire County Council’s medium term financial savings, and as a result of a reduced cemetery maintenance budget, a decision was made to reduce grass cutting frequency in currently unutilised cemetery areas in order to maintain current levels of maintenance within active burial areas.

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“Within burial areas, a programme of grass cutting commenced at the end of March this year and teams are currently in the process of undertaking cut number four of the season.

"The unusually high rainfall combined with recent warmer temperatures has had the effect of accelerating grass growth in excess of what would normally be experienced at this time of year.

"As a result, the longer grass has resulted in cutting operations taking longer to complete, however, teams are working hard to remedy this situation. The safety of visitors to Flintshire’s cemeteries is paramount and all sites will be inspected to ensure there are no health and safety concerns.”