Old cemetery gets makeover as new one is hit by delays (From Mid Devon Star)

Old cemetery gets makeover as new one is hit by delays

9:02am Friday 28th September 2012 in Cullompton

AN old cemetery has been given a much-needed makeover while delays have hit a new one’s expansion.

Cullompton Town Cemetery was becoming overgrown with fast-growing grass and thick weeds, and with wet weather over the last few weeks, cemetery maintenance staff had little opportunity to get them under control. So when a brief spell of dry weather rolled over Cullompton last week, they seized the chance to cut back the greenery and restore the cemetery to its usual tidy appearance.

Nina Ashley, clerk of Cullompton Town Council, said: “It has been a difficult summer for the cemetery maintenance staff with such good weather for growing grass and weeds but so little opportunity to get in and keep them under control. “When we finally had a week of good weather all our staff really worked hard to get the work done. I would like to thank those residents who have been contacting us in support of our efforts.”

The extension of the new cemetery next door, however, has been suffering setbacks from more than just the weather. A pipe belonging to South West Water that runs below the extension area had to be lowered after the ground was levelled to make it suitable for a cemetery.

Further delays were caused when diggers moved in to begin work only to find that the site had been filled with sand at some time in the past – an unstable substance that is difficult to work on. Work on the extension is now under way again and it is hoped the extension will be completed before Christmas. Screening trees, shrubs and grass will all be planted in the New Year.