Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
I wouldn’t bury my family here now
A concerned Coatbridge mum has slammed the state of the cemetery where her parents and grandparents are buried.
Mary Gray says Old Monkland cemetery in her home town is plagued with “overgrown grass and weeds” and hit out at the amount of potholes on the road leading into the site of her loved ones’ final resting place.
The 57-year-old says the situation is “stressful” and she now wouldn’t want her relatives to be buried in the cemetery if it was in its current condition.
Mary told the Advertiser: “My parents, Findlay and Joan Johnston, and grandparents, John and Ellen Sharp, are all buried at Old Monkland and it’s heartbreaking to see the state the cemetery is in.
“I went quite recently and I got a shock when I saw it. So much of the grass is overgrown and there are weeds everywhere; it looks so untidy.
“The potholes on the road into the cemetery are shocking and it all makes what is already a trying experience much more unpleasant.
“It’s stressful visiting the family’s graves and my son was really upset when he saw the condition of the cemetery.
“It’s so bad I now wouldn’t want my family buried there if I could turn back time.” Mary claims she spoke with a grave digger at the cemetery who told her their team was reduced “from six to three” and Mary says it’s “unfair they are getting
abuse from people who are unhappy as it isn’t their fault”.
She added: “If staffing numbers are low why don’t the council see if there are volunteers, such as people in the community or students doing gardening-style courses, who could help out with cleaning up the cemetery? Or get people doing community service to go there.
“One of the most frustrating things about the condition of the cemetery is that it would be a relatively easy fix with some time and effort.”
A council spokesperson said: “In all cemeteries in North Lanarkshire, grass is cut on an approximately fortnightly basis from April to October, in line with the council’s agreed maintenance standards. We recognise there is an issue with weed growth around headstones and some pathways, which has arisen
following the council’s decision last year to cease using weed killers containing glyphosate.
“A trial of alternative products is underway but there is no single, cost effective treatment available at this time.
“Our staff take great pride in delivering a good standard of service within cemeteries and are carrying out weeding manually alongside their other duties.
“Therefore, at the present time, it will not be possible to maintain the same standard of maintenance until a suitable alternative weed treatment is identified.
“The council welcomes support from communities in managing and maintaining our cemeteries, parks and green spaces, and we work with a number of cemeteries ‘Friends’ groups. Anyone interested in starting a group can contact our bereavement services manager on 01698 506300.”
An indoor bowling club in Coatbridge is to be transformed into a new hub for locals after being bought by a voluntary group.
Cliftonville and Coatdyke Community Group has worked closely with North Lanarkshire Council, The Development Trust Association for Scotland, and the National Lottery to develop a business plan for the regeneration of the building.
Through the community asset transfer scheme, and with £190,000 of lottery funding, the group has bought the building and plans to make improvements to it.
When it’s complete, the new hub will see the existing bowling club combine with a range of activities and education opportunities for people of all ages, as well as a cafe, meeting and events space.
Lizzanne Mcmurrich, head of communities, said:“congratulations to everyone involved in the Cliftonville and Coatdyke Community Group for their efforts in giving this building a new future for the benefit of the whole community.
“The building will become a hub for community activities, bringing together local groups and individuals, and is an excellent example of what can be achieved when the voluntary and public sectors work in partnership.”
Chairman of the group, Alex Forrest, said this was“a very important time”for the local community and volunteer groups throughout Airdrie and Coatbridge.
He added:“the purchase of the building will provide a focal point for our community and the present first class bowling facility will be augmented by a wide range of activities for all the community.
“We would like to thank our partners for helping to make this dream come to fruition; Roslyn Griffith and Douglas Tate (North Lanarkshire Council); Katie Alexander (Scottish Land Fund); Elyn Zang (National Lottery Community Fund); and, most importantly, Lynn Molleson from Community Ownership Support Services.
“For more information, or help, please contact us on 01236 428641.”