Family dispute keeps man’s name off stone

THE tribute erected by Julie and her sister Jennifer which is to be removed

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DISTRAUGHT Julie Fletcher is battling to get her father’s name engraved on his head stone as she prepares to mark the first anniversary of his death on Saturday.

She has also been ordered to remove an unofficial memorial bearing his name.

John Fletcher (85), of Ash Walk, Chadderton, known as Jack — a great-great grandfather — died of pneumonia.

But a family row and regulations have prevented Julie from having his name put on the headstone in Chadderton Cemetery where he is buried with his wife, Doris, who died in 1993.

Julie (46) has been told that the grave is owned jointly by John’s eight children, and they must all sign a document to allow any changes.

Agreement has proved impossible because of a long-standing family dispute. There are also objections to having the word “great-grandfather” included.

“I am absolutely gobsmacked. My dad paid for the plot, and he paid for the stone. Is he not entitled to have his name on it?” asked Julie, of Rosen Square, Chadderton, who visits every day.

“My name is on the register at Oldham as the caretaker of the grave. My dad put me down. I am the only one of us who visits.

“They said the only thing I can do is take my family to court, but I can’t afford that. To keep a name off a grave for spite, I can’t understand that. It is unbelievable.

She has been ordered to remove a memorial which she and her sister, Jennifer, placed to make sure John is remembered. They paid £300 for the book-shaped tribute which includes the name Piffy which John and his wife called each other.

A notice was placed at the grave last week and reads: “This memorial has not been authorised by Oldham MBC and should be removed. Please ensure this is completed by June, 2008.

“If this memorial is not removed by this date then we shall remove it and place it in stock.”

Julie, whose grand-daughter, Robyn, was born an hour after John died, added: “It will gut me if I have to take the book off because at least it lets people know he is there. I will stick myself to it rather than have it removed.”

A council spokesman confirmed that the grave was legally owned by all eight children. Six have written to say their father’s name is not be be placed on the stone under any circumstances and that the book-shaped memorial should be removed.