This site is to show the disgrace that is Torquay Cemetery.

Statement

These views have been assembled by interviewing a large number of people while they have been visiting the cemetery.

Gravestones are probably being damaged by large heavy sit-on mowing machinery. Because they are cumbersome to manoeuvre in a confined space we believe they are bumping into the stones. The weight is compressing the soil in front of the gravestones which is possibly unsettling the foundations. Also, damage could be being done by vibration from this heavy machinery. None of the stones in the war memorial area are clamped or have been damaged. This area is looked after properly by a professional maintenance company using a small hand mower and shears.

If no damage has been done in the war memorial area it must prove that the damage done to the stones in the rest of the cemetery, (many of which are only a few years old) has been caused by modern cost cutting council practices. This type of problem was never heard of years ago when cemeteries were looked after caringly and properly.

After the last petition on planting was looked at by the council they have now agreed that people can plant up to two feet from the headstone. This has not been publicised though as they are hoping to keep this information quiet. If people were allowed to plant the full six foot from the headstone which is what the petition asked for there would not be a problem with heavy machinery damaging headstones.

The clamping all around the cemetery looks horrendous.

At least one stone has been broken by the council clamps.

The council claim they have to clamp the stones for public safety as people have been killed!- Have you ever heard of anyone dying from a crushed foot?!!

It is scandalous for the council to say that stones will be laid down or taken away if relatives cannot be contacted. This will leave people in unmarked graves!

£30,000 of tax payers money has been spent so far on this clamping fiasco. Surely this money could have been put to better use in actually repairing the damaged stones?

The council is now considering wasting more money installing CCTV. This could be useful though, if made available for the public to view as we would then be able to see if the council workmen are damaging headstones and taking plants and flowers from our graves.

The cemetery is a public disgrace:

Grass is left long and wild it is also full of weeds. (Not what we would call a “Lawned” cemetery).

Ground is uneven and full of dangerous potholes hidden in the long grass which cannot be cut properly by the type of large tractor mowers used.

People are having to buy battery operated strimmers and petrol mowers to properly look after the area around their graves.

On the rare occasions that the grass is cut by council workmen all the grave stones are left in a mess with grass cuttings strew all over the stones. This is left for the owners to wash down again the next time they visit.

Do you want a cemetery that looks like this and is only going to get worse or, do you want something done about it?

Read the latest developments here.

Please look around this site to see many pictures of the disgraceful state of our cemetery.

If you want things to change contact us and join our action group now.

If anyone would like to support us, get more information or give us your views or comments to go on our forum page please contact us now.

Email: graveprotest@yahoo.co.uk