Council to carry out review of graveyards
Calls have been made to ensure repair works are carried out across the area’s cemeteries which have “fallen into disrepair”.
A motion put forward at the full Renfrewshire Council meeting called on a review to be carried out in historic graveyards in the local authority in a bid to preserve the history for future generations.
Council candidates John McNaughton and Kenny MacLaren said historic graveyards are “important assets which document the history of our local communities” which could also help boost tourism in the area.
The motion - which was accepted during yesterday’s meeting - reads: “That council agrees that officers should undertake a review of the historic graveyards within Renfrewshire, identifying ownership and maintenance requirements and report back with recommendations to enhance the valuable contribution these can make for tourism and future generations.”
It comes following the announcement of plans to carry out repairs to headstones belonging to children killed in the Glen Cinema disaster in 1929.
The Express revealed that some of the 55 Glen Cinema headstones in a section of Hawkhead cemetery were toppled as part of safety works being carried out across nine of the area’s cemeteries.
Council bosses have since come forward to say it is “only right” that it arranges for the headstones to be repaired due to their historical significance.
A monumental sculptor is set to begin work on the affected headstones next week.
Potentially thousands of headstones across Renfrewshire could be also removed if they are deemed a ‘hazard’ as work continues as part of Scottish Government safety guidance.
Paisley East and Central candidate John McNaughtan said: “Across Renfrewshire there are historic graveyards, which have fallen into disrepair due to a lack of maintenance and in some cases confusion as to the ownership of such sites.
“Although these graveyards have not been in use for many years, they hold many stories from our history and should be preserved for future generations.
“The information contained within them, whether through gravestones or memorials, can provide a fascinating insight into our past and also be a valuable tourist draw.”
Paisley Northwest candidate Kenny MacLaren added: “This is an excellent motion initially devised by Councillor McNaughtan and one that can help us to better understand our past.
“Hopefully, the report back from officers can provide us with some guidance on who owns which graveyard and what options are available to ensure such sites are enhanced and saved for future generations who may want to look back into the history of our local communities.”
Calls have also been made in recent weeks for works to be carried out on Hawkhead Cemetery as concerned residents say the site has been left to crumble.
Issues with potholes, unkept grass, piles of dead leaves left for months and crumbling pathways have been raised by Paisley man Des Barr, who has set up Friends of Hawkhead Cemetery pressure group in a bid to get the council to act.
He said: “We’re certainly not criticising the cemetery staff because there are so few of them and they are fighting a losing battle trying to keep the cemetery tidy.
“The state the cemetery is in just now is disrespectful to the people who are buried there – they may be gone, but they are certainly not forgotten.”
A spokesperson for Renfrewshire Council defended the actions of the authority in regards to the cemetery, saying: “We are very mindful of the importance of our cemeteries to local communities and are committed to providing a welcoming and respectful environment for visitors.”