State of cemetery adds to grieving family's heartache (From Redditch Advertiser)

State of cemetery adds to grieving family's heartache

3:10pm Tuesday 19th February 2013 in News

A WYTHALL family says the state of the parish cemetery is adding to their heartbreak as they are not able to mourn at the grave of a loved one due to the “swamp” like conditions.

Eddie Li’s wife died last July at a young age, after a battle with cancer. Her family buried her in Wythall Cemetary and lovingly tended to her grave until a few months ago, when the water-logged conditions deteriorated.

Mr Li said: “The plot where my wife is buried is severely waterlogged, moreover, so is the surrounding area. It is an impossible task to even walk to the grave.

“Not only is this an unacceptable level of poor maintenance and an unsightly spectacle, it is also a very real and dangerous hazard, especially to those who are not so steady on their feet already.

“Far from being a source of comfort and consolation it is an upsetting experience. I know that I am not alone in feeling thus, as I have spoken to many other mourners who share this sentiment.

“As a tax payer I find it reprehensible, especially when taking into consideration the initial cost of the plot itself. In addition, it is a double plot for my wife and myself, however I cannot foresee my family wishing to spend their time remembering us at what can now only be described as a swamp.”

Mr Li and his family have ordered a headstone but have been warned that there may be delays in installation due to the poor conditions.

He added: “It is disgraceful and disrespectful that a much-frequented cemetery has been allowed to fall into such a forsaken state of dilapidation. This situation has since worsened and we are now unable to even get to my wife's grave due to the cemetery grounds more closely resembling a pond or bog.”

Mr Li said numerous complaint letters had been sent by members of his family, and other residents, but Wythall Parish COuncil had not addressed the problem.

Mr Li recently visited the cemetery to lay flowers on the anniversary of when he first met his wife, but could not even get near her grave, much to his distress.

Pat Harrison, Wythall Parish Council chief executive and registrar, said: “Unfortunately, after snow and heavy rain, we did plan on doing work to alleviate the problem, but then we had more rain and it was simply impossible for us to do it.

“Hopefully this drier weather will last for a while which means we can get on the planned work which needs doing it.

“This is not just a problem for Wythall cemetery, but one we are hearing about around the area, and indeed the rest of the country.”