Transformed – the shameful cemetery

A SECTION of Warrington’s largest cemetery – once described as a “tip” – has been transformed into a peaceful, green plot.
Residents are delighted with the results of the work at the Manchester Road cemetery and the borough council has won an “added value” award in the annual Good Scrutiny Awards.
A scrutiny group was set up to look at what could be done to improve the cemetery after complaints were received from bereaved families.
Only nine months ago, Coun Mike Biggin, leader of a working group studying the problem, said the condition of the cemetery was “shameful.”
After visiting the cemetery, he said: “My own heartfelt view was that if this was a reflection of how our town respects its antecedents then it was shameful, especially because these were the very people who by their hard work, ingenuity and enterprise had built Warrington and its industrial and social heritage.”
The scrutiny group secured funds to improve the appearance and maintenance of an area of the cemetery.
Funding has also been secured to improve the rest of the cemetery.
Assistant director of environment and public protection services Paula Darlington said: “We assessed what needed to be done to each individual memorial then met with families at the graves to discuss what work would be done. As well as a huge clean-up operation, damage to headstones has been repaired, and the ground has been levelled and re-turfed.
“The cemetery ground and burial facility has been transformed, creating additional grave space and a peaceful resting place.
“We are acutely aware of how difficult it is for people when they lose someone close to them. I am just so pleased that we were able to provide residents with a peaceful, pleasant environment where they can remember their loved ones.”
Pictured: the cemetery, before and after the improvement work, and (left to right) Tony Roughley and Mark Appleton who carried out much of the work.