Grave reservations over ‘giant tomb’

LOOK HERE . . . Councillor Mike Buckley shows a copy of the plans to, from left, David Makin, Clara Shaw, Ken Hulme, David Harrison, Keith Begley and Sarah Rycroft

A plan to wake the dead and use ancient gravestones as seating in a revamped gardens project has come under fire.

Delph Community Association and the Saddleworth Trust staged an exhibition to highlight proposals for landscaping Chapel Gardens.

Part of the idea in the £90,000 plan is to create a new performance area with terraced seating and a walkway made from gravestones.

Jenny Begley, wife of a parish councillor, who lives near the gardens, said: “It would look like a giant tomb. It could be a lot of money spent on a white elephant.

“Personally, I don’t think people should walk or sit on gravestones. It can be a very sensitive issue.

“I also believe they could become hazardous if they were overgrown with lichen — people could slip on them”

Mrs Begley, who has lived in the village more than 40 years, added: “I am not keen on other aspects of the project, including blocking off the rear of the site.

“This could create problems for people who want to walk through the gardens. I have raised my concerns with the organisers.”

Bob Rodgers of the Saddleworth and Oldham Whit Friday Brass Band committee, said: “It’s not an ideal situation.

“Bands do not turn up for nothing. Who is going to finance it? We would not use the enclosed area for a brass band contest.”

But Councillor Mike Buckley, chairman of Saddleworth Historic Soc-iety, defended the scheme.

He said: “The gravestones are not connected to graves and are currently just stacked against a wall. Some of them have fascinating stories and I am sure they would be of interest to visitors and locals.

“We understand the emotion surrounding the gardens and we would keep the reverence of the area.

“When the scheme was first mooted people showed real interest in having the performance area. But the whole project is open to debate and we welcome everyone’s views.”

David Makin, chairman of Saddleworth Civic Trust, said: “I don’t think the idea is disrespectful. It would be nice for the gravestones to be on display and show off part of the village history.”

Phil Beck, Delph’s musical entrepreneur, has staged concerts in Saddleworth villages for 10 years. “I like the idea of Sunday afternoon concerts in a nice setting but funding could be an issue,” he said.

Sarah Rycroft, a Manchester-based landscape architect who designed the provisional project, said: “We will take on board all the comments from people before making any decisions.”

Parish Councillor Ken Hulme, a DCA committee member, said: “I have some reservations over the plans but they have been produced to stimulate discussion. Everyone is entitled to a view and I do hope we have lots of comments.”



The plan is on view at Delph Library and questionnaires are provided for people to have their say.