A LOCAL woman is appealing for help to maintain an overgrown graveyard in which her family are buried.
Heywood graveyard has been in use for over 150 years and has recently fallen into disrepair. The church on the grounds ceased being used for services in 1984, but the graveyard is still active.
Some of the older graves are heavily overgrown with brambles and ivy. Westbury resident Rachel Stroud has family members from as far back as 1892 interred in the grounds, and her father was recently buried there.
Rachel said, “It’s absolutely heartbreaking to see the graveyard in this state; it’s an important place and should be kept in good condition. There are weeds, long grass, and brambles growing wild everywhere.
“My uncle and I do what we can to cut back weeds but we can’t maintain the whole area or do any of the heavy work.
“There is obviously a maintenance allowance because the grass is cut occasionally, but in some places it’s hard to tell if there’s a grave there at all.
“I don’t like to moan but I want somebody else to take an interest in the upkeep. Even if a group of local people could get together we could improve the area a lot. I’m more than willing to get involved and take on groundskeeping myself, but I can’t do it alone.
“I strongly believe in respecting the dead, and I think that if those who are buried there could see their graves they wouldn’t be best impressed.”
Rachel contacted North Bradley Parish Council in 2013 but the graveyard is still in an undesirable condition.
The church to which the graveyard used to belong is now a private residential property, but the cemetery remains the property of the diocese.
Heywood graveyard sits next to the junction of Church Road and the A350.
If you think you can help Rachel, send your contact details to White Horse News at news@whitehorsenews.co.uk, or 01225 704761.
