This graveyard is not a fairground

Hungerford councillors debate adornments at cemetery

THE future management of graves at St Saviour’s Cemetery in Eddington has created an emotional minefield for Hungerford town councillors.

But, following a public consultation last year, a final decision is looming.

The council was prompted to consider taking action by complaints from members of the public about the state of some of the graves.

But the need for a sensitive and inclusive approach was highlighted in 2013 when Lambourn Parish Council removed unauthorised items from its Upper Lambourn cemetery including stone angels, carved memorials, figurines, cuddly toys and artificial flowers.

The parish council insisted it was only enforcing existing guidelines and pointed out that it had publicised its intentions in advance.

But, following a public uproar, the council was forced to apologise and to adopt a more conciliatory stance.

Last year’s consultation by Hungerford Town Council stated: “Adornments that are additional to fresh flowers have been a subject of some confusion over the years and have generated a need for some clarity and general agreement.”

At a recent meeting of the council’s recreation and amenities committee, town mayor Martin Crane said the consultation response had revealed the deep division in public opinion.

He said: “Some like the additional adornments such as teddy bears; others call them hideous.

“But we have to do something if members of the public are telling us it’s a mess.

“We either have a free-for-all or we have some guidelines.

“There’s a balance to be struck – it’s not a fairground and there needs to be a certain amount of, if not solemnity, at least of reverence.

“It’s a very difficult and sensitive issue but personally I think there should be some sort of decorum on consecrated ground.

“We need to be quite clear about what we expect – then we can approach people who are failing to meet those standards.”

However, the committee was unable to agree on a final set of rules, with some favouring fresh flowers only and others suggesting a more relaxed approach.

Carolann Farrell said: “Could we say fresh flowers only – that’s it, nothing else – and that they’re to be removed when past their best?

“I realise we would have to tell people to remove things that are already there like teddy bears and crucifixes and it sounds awful but we could end up with it looking 10 times worse.”

Rob Brookman warned that, in some less regulated cemeteries, beer cans and cigarette packets were placed as memorials.

The issue is far from new – according to the Hungerford Virtual Museum the minutes for Hungerford Town Council in 1932 noted: “The condition of St Saviour’s cemetery gives cause for concern.”

Colin Bumbieris said: “It would be easier if we were starting from scratch but we’ve inherited these problems.”

The issue of adornments on children’s graves was particularly emotive and difficult, the committee acknowledged.

The committee agreed to draw up a number of options including a ban on all adornments apart from fresh flowers, allowing existing adornments to remain but barring new ones and limiting adornments to a maximum of three, biodegradable items.

The list will then be handed to a future meeting of the full town council for a debate, culminating in a final decision.