Grave wreaths binned by council
A RUNCORN mourner has slammed Halton Borough Council for removing wreaths laid on graves in Runcorn Cemetery for what he said was only two weeks.
Carl Hamilton complained to the local authority after laying wreaths at Christmas only for his wife to discover they had been binned along with others a fortnight later in January.
He said they were still in good condition, and that he as now received a reply saying they were removed to allow for the grass to be cut
However, Mr Hamilton said it is still too early for mowing to take place, which he said does not usually happen until March.
Mr Hamilton, who has been visiting the cemetery for 30 years to lay wreaths with personal messages for his parents, said he was ‘disgusted’ by the removal.
He said: “Two weeks after Christmas, my wife was walking through the cemetery and noticed the wreaths had gone.
“I went up and they had ● all gone, all with personal messages.
“And in the big bins it was full of wreaths, perfectly good wreaths and the Runcorn cemetery group had thrown them all in the bin.
“I’ve been on the phone to them and they said they’re about to start cutting the grass and they’ve mowed them.
“I’m disgusted with . what they’ve done.”
He added: “I’ve had a letter back saying they’re in their rights to do what they’ve done. They’ve had the bins emptied.
“I’ve never had issues from the 30 years I’ve been doing it. It’s the inconsideration.”
Cllr Stef Nelson (cemeteries) said: “Our cemeteries are large and the limited number of staff are very busy with grave digging and other duties.
“In line with other local authorities, every available minute is used to get the cemeteries ready for the mowing season in March.
“It is typical for us to start clearing up early in the New Year and that could take two or three weeks, depending on work load.”