Keep an eye on memorial graves (From Warrington Guardian)

Keep an eye on memorial graves

A WINSFORD vicar is calling for people who have relatives buried in his parish's graveyard to make sure that the memorials are safe.

The Rev Tim Hanson, from Christchurch, Wharton, made the appeal after Vale Royal Borough Council inspectors left yellow hazard bags over around 100 headstones that they considered unsafe.

The inspections have caused controversy across the borough during the past six months, with many angry residents complaining that the hazard bags are disrespectful to the dead.

Complaints

But Mr Hanson said: "Generally we have not had a lot of complaints about the bags, although we have had a couple of people telephone us and ask us why it has happened.

"I can understand why they would feel that way about what has been done but the council has been ordered to do the inspection by the Health and Safety Executive."

Mr Hanson is concerned that the unsafe memorials present a danger not only to people who come to pay their respects at graves, but also to youths who use the churchyard as somewhere to socialise.

But he emphasised that the youngsters were not responsible for serious anti-social behaviour.

He said: "We get lots of children playing in the churchyard and I wouldn't like it if they were to injure themselves. I'd say the children are in their early teens.

"It's nothing criminal - they occasionally bang on the church door and make noise."

Anyone who needs more information about the memorials or can help the church identify the next of kin should ring Liz Greenwood on 01606 861860.

rfraser@guardiangrp.co.uk