War graves left in ‘unkempt’ state claim is disputed
A VISITOR wanting pay their respects in Burton’s Garden of Remembrance says they were left upset by the “dilapidated and unkempt state” they claimed they were in ahead of the VE Day anniversary.
Olga Glass, who lives in the town, said it was “very sad and upsetting” to see the condition of the area, particularly the state of two of the large stones that make up the garden, off the High Street. She claimed the area looked overgrown and neglected, which the council has refuted. It comes as the 76th anniversary of VE Day is set to be marked tomorrow.
She is now calling on East Staffordshire Borough Council, which is responsible for the gardens, to clean up the area, which has said there is a project in the pipeline to restore the graves there.
However, a spokesman for the authority denied the area looked dilapidated, saying that it was regularly cleaned and had been due to be done last year but this did not go ahead due to the Covid pandemic. The area is now set to be cleaned later this year, he said.
Mrs Glass said: “It is very sad and upsetting to see the Garden of Remembrance (1939-1945) and especially two stones at both ends of the walkway from Market Place to the library, being in such dilapidated and unkempt state.
“Is this the way to keep alive the memory of all these people - someone’s sons, husbands, brothers, uncles or just men of this town?
She claimed there has been vandalism in the area, and it was untidy and dirty. She said she felt it showed a total lack of respect and courtesy to people who made the ultimate sacrifice during war.
She said: “It shows total disrespect to the veterans and, of course, to all people of Burton, and the state in which these gardens are kept.
“There are many ancient and old graves and gravestones in the garden, which are covered in old rotten leaves, litter and rubbish and trees growing through the gravestones. It is an eyesore and total disregard to the memory of the dead people.
“However, I am not surprised as the whole of Burton seems to be dilapidated and unkempt. This lovely town is simply dying from lack of pride and care.
She said she wanted to see improving this part of the town made a priority and felt that the stones needed washing and the plaques needed painting “least once a year ready for the anniversary of VE Day”.
She said: “How long would this take and how much would it cost? The memory for these people of Burton can not be measured just in lack of money. Being positive, Burton College students could be given the project to refurbish the stones and tidy the gravestones ‘to perpetuate the memory of all those who gave their lives in World War 1939 -1945.’”
However, a spokesman for East Staffordshire Borough Council said specialists were needed and used to maintain the Garden of Remembrance.
He said: “All of the town centre war memorials are cleaned by a specialist company on a two-year cycle. They were cleaned in 2014 to mark the commemorations for the 100th anniversary of the start of World War 1, in 2016 to coincide with the 100 years since the Battle of the Somme and once more in 2018, in line with other events associated with World War 1.
“The memorials were due to be cleaned in 2020 but postponed due to Covid-19. The council aims to clean these in 2021 before the anniversary of VJ day, however this will depend on the contractor as their work is of such a specialist nature. Another clean is planned to coincide with the Queen’s Jubilee Celebrations taking place in 2022.
“The graves are being restored by the same specialist company who will do so sympathetically and with respect. The Garden of Remembrance is part of a restoration project that the council’s officers have embarked upon as Covid19 restrictions have begun to ease. The council is waiting for planning permission for works on trees before restoration on the remaining areas can be completed.
“The council’s officer responsible for volunteering is seeking to organise work parties to plant trees, sow wildflowers and create other attractive floral features to modernise the gardens. Those who are interested in volunteering can register at https://www.eaststaffsbc.gov.uk/parks-and-openspaces/volunteer.”