Relative upset by overgrown grave

OVERGROWN weeds and grass cover the graves at St Chad’s Church

A MAN visiting his grandmother’s Saddleworth grave spent hours digging and cutting weeds so he could see the plot.

Neil Barlow was shocked that the cemetery at St Chad’s — Uppermill Parish Church - was overgrown.

“I was appalled by the state of it,” he said. “I spent more than two hours cutting the weeds to be able to see the site where my nanna lays.

“I appreciate there is a cost involved to maintain the grounds, but I can’t believe it is too much to mow or strim the areas around the graves and keep it tidy.”

Church secretary Lily Hopkinson said: “I am sure people will appreciate that with a relatively small, ageing congregation, work, time and finance has to be prioritised. A leaking roof or central heating boiler not working will take priority over graveyard maintenance.”

Members of the congregation are responsible for the upkeep of the cemeteries, but the last time the graveyard was completely mown was in 2011. More maintenance work is expected soon.