New project under way to help look after region’s cemeteries

A scheme to support volunteers to help look after their local cemetery has been developed across the region.

‘ Friends of Cemeteries’ will see groups of volunteers helping with a range of tasks, such as bulb planting, helping to maintain shrub beds, painting gates and railings – as well as other tasks which a spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council said would “complement the regular maintenance” carried out by the local authority.

Several groups are already established in Perth and Kinross and there is a growing network of volunteers across the region coming forward to help, according to the council.

Carse of Gowrie Conservative elected member, Councillor Angus Forbes, is convener of PKC’s environment and infrastructure committee.

He said: “Cemeteries are not just final resting places – they are also places of comfort, as well as green spaces which are important to their communities and places of historical and ecological interest.

“The council carries out routine maintenance of cemeteries, but the Friends of Cemeteries scheme supports communities and volunteers to work with the bereavement services team to carry out improvement work and promote pride of place.

“When people visit to remember loved ones, they want do so in the nicest possible surroundings and I’m sure all our Friends groups will help make our cemeteries more welcoming and comforting places to visit.”

Anyone interested in creating a group should contact Robert Ross via CommunityGreenspace@pkc.gov.uk.