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27 March 2019
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Vol 26 l Issue 13
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FAMILY DISTRESS OVER ORDER TO REMOVE GRAVESIDE TRIBUTES Report by Henry James A FAMILY who were left distressed after vandals damaged and stole tributes left at the graveside of a loved one have now been told by the church that their remaining items have to be removed. The Champion reported the damage at the graveside at St Thomas The Martyr Church in Up Holland earlier this year. Last week the same family, who do not wish to be named, contacted us to say they had received a letter asking them to move their tributes. A family member wrote: “On Monday, March 18 my relative received a letter from the church stating that any floral tributes, solar lights, wind chimes or other items were to be removed from the grave. “As you can imagine, the distress the earlier damage and thefts caused the family was heartbreaking. Now the church have caused further upset and distress to my father-in-law and family. “Upon opening the letter my father-in-law was reduced to tears again by the uncaring nature of the church. His wife has not been buried 12 months and the church are saying that floral tributes and other items will have to be removed. “How insensitive. The tokens of love left there are not causing any offence and are a way of showing our love for a lost one. Many visitors to the graveyard have passed comment on how lovely and peaceful the grave is with the floral tributes and ornaments. “Apparently you are not allowed to create a ‘garden’
St Thomas The Martyr Church in Up Holland.
in front of the headstone to remember a loved one but have to make do with a headstone with flower pots within the plinth. “We have spoken to other families who have loved ones buried within the graveyard who have similar items around their graves. They have not received any letter from the church to date. “Upsetting” “We feel targeted by the church for our affection for a much-loved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. “This is so upsetting along with the mindless and unforgivable actions of the persons causing the dam-
age. How can the church act in this way? “We understand that there are regulations which govern the laying of headstones and maintenance of the area, however it appears that this is one rule for one and another rule for another.” Reverend Paul Lock, priest in charge at St Thomas the Martyr, responded: “I’m really sorry to hear the letter asking a resident to remove items from a family member’s grave caused them upset. We understand that losing a loved one is a very difficult time and people associate great emotional meaning to the tributes they place near to their loved one’s grave. Which is why family tributes are left for several weeks following a burial. We then ask families to remove their tributes while the ground is prepared and levelled to comply with Diocesan regulations. “A headstone can only be erected once the ground has settled for around six months. Once a headstone is in place, it can be used to display tributes. “Upkeep of the graveyard to ensure it is a safe and accessible place for everyone to visit is a mammoth task. As well as paying contractors to cut the grass we are truly blessed that our community plays such a vital role in its upkeep of our church and its surrounding environment, including the graveyard. “We ask that people do not add garden areas, fences Continued inside
Police find machetes in abandoned car search SKELMERSDALE Police found two large machetes while searching an abandoned car. The weapons were discovered after officers had received a report of an accident on Back Lane, Digmoor on the afternoon of Sunday, March 24. They posted this picture of the machetes (above) to their social media page under the hashtag #removingknivesfromourstreets The post read: ‘Following a report of an accident on Back Lane Digmoor a vehicle was located abandoned, the resulting search located two large machetes. Enquiries ongoing to identify the owner.’ This prompted responses from the public. One read ‘How are they even getting their hands on these’ while another stated: ‘It should be five years for carrying these. Simple.’ There have been a number of knife-related incidents in the town over recent months. And earlier this month Skelmersdale Police announced they were supporting a national week-long knife surrender which was set up following a surge in knife-related attacks.
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