Group’s success with cemetery
A“DISGRACEFUL” graveyard is set to be revamped after a pressure group demanded change. Hawkhead Cemetery in Paisley is being fixed up after newsagent Desmond Barr campaigned to Renfrewshire Council for improvements.
He set up a group called Friends of Hawkhead Cemetery which complained about the overgrown grass, potholes, deteriorating signs and lack of general maintenance.
It comes after the group carried out a public survey to find out what issues people most wanted Renfrewshire Council to take action on at Hawkhead Cemetery.
Now the group reports that the council has begun a programme of regular and improved grass cutting, is investigating and has experimented with the best type of machinery to clear weeds and moss that covers the pathways, and has started repairing potholes in the part of the cemetery that is currently most in use for new graves.
A new Hawkhead Cemetery signage will also soon be erected.
Mr Barr said: “We have won some initial and important victories in the short time the Friends of Hawkhead Cemetery group has been campaigning for improvements.
“We’ve made a strong start to our campaign and have gained support from many members of the public and councillors from all political parties. These latest developments from the council to begin improvements to the cemetery are very welcome, although there is still a long way to go.
“I’ve spoken to several councillors and as recently as Sunday evening, organised a visit to Hawkhead Cemetery for councillor Stephen Burns, who is the depute convener of the council’s infrastructure, land and environment policy board.
“I got the impression from him that he thought the necessary improvements had already been made to the cemetery, but was shocked when he saw the disgraceful state the cemetery was still in.
“And within a couple of days workmen were out repairing potholes.”
The survey – which more than 550 people completed – revealed that 95.3% of those who took part either strongly agreed or agreed that the council should give more attention to general maintenance including clearing fallen leaves and debris and weeding pathways.
The survey showed that 94.94% strongly agreed or agreed that roads within the cemetery should be repaired, and 89.69% strongly agreed or agreed that grass cutting should be improved.
The questionnaire also saw 87.16% of people strongly agreed or agreed that the council should increase community warden patrols in the cemetery grounds to counter issues such as anti-social behaviour and dog fouling.
Mr Barr added: “We appreciate the actions being taken by Renfrewshire Council but, as a group, we will remain vigilant to make sure the improvements remain in place longterm and that other important issues the public have raised are also dealt with.”
We will stay vigilant to make sure these changes remain in place for the future