Threat to tasteful tribute to Margaret
Her daughter asks: ‘ What is so wrong with this?’
A grieving daughter is heartbroken after grave keepers ordered her mum’s shrine be ripped up.
Margaret Pollock’s family erected a dainty little fence filled with pretty pebbles at her resting place to mark her birthday.
The much- loved gran from Tarbolton passed away a year and a half ago aged only 52 because of heart trouble.
Her loved ones became upset when her cemetery was constantly untidy with rotting leaves and strewn grass cuttings.
The took it upon themselves to safeguard her stone and grave ornaments with the tiny boundary fence.
But South Ayrshire Council sent them a letter ordering them to destroy the sanctuary at Coilsfield Cemetery near the village.
Margaret’s daughter, Shauna Richmond, of Ayr, said: “I was devastated and angry to see the letter. They threatened us saying if we don’t take it away, they will. We pay for the plot and upkeep but they don’t seem to care. We were trying to make the place better for mum. I want her to rest in a place that is nice. I don’t think we have done anything extravagant.”
Shauna’s dad William, 62, received the upsetting notice last week, which said their efforts breached the council’s rules and regulations.
Mum- of- one Shauna, 31, continued: “I want to see a bit more consideration for families and leeway. North Ayrshire and East Ayrshire Council’s allow families to do more. We were only trying to help. I have had to cut the grass around her ornaments with scissors.”
Council graves boss Mike Newall said rules were in place to ensure dignity for all families who own lairs, with cemeteries monitored for any breaches.
He added: “We are happy to work with families if they wish to put something specific in place at a graveside – as long as this is in line with the necessary rules.”