Anger over widower's cemetery ordeal

A FULL investigation has been called for following last week's story of a widower forced to remove a tiny plaque from his wife's grave.

Cllr Ron Dyason was so incensed by the cemeteries department letter to Albert Winter that he contacted Rother chief executive Derek Stevens immediately to ask him to carry out a full investigation.

Several other angry recipients of the abrupt registered letters have contacted the Observer since Friday's page 1 story.

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The registered letter to Mr Winter, of Whitehouse Avenue, ordered him to remove a tiny hand-sized plaque from his wife's grave, five years after his daughter had placed it there as a mother's day tribute.

The plaque apparently contravened section 16e of the cemeteries regulations, which said no wooden, plaster or plastic memorial or other material considered inappropriate by the Proper Officer, was permitted.

Collington Ward Conservative member Mr Dyason said: "I really do feel that this sort of thing, where it affects the graves of loved-ones, does need to be treated with sensitivity.

"I have asked the chief executive to investigate, to find out what has happened and to see how we can deal with this type of issue in the future."

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Eleanor White, from School Place, was incensed when her mother received a registered letter asking her to remove a similar plaque, which had laid on her mother Eleanor Baker's grave since she died on New Year's Day three years ago.

"We went up to gran's grave the other day and there were lots of little plaques like the ones they want removed.

"The only reason we got a plaque was because we could not afford a headstone and wanted to show there was someone who did care for her. They would not even allow a simple wooden cross.

"I think the plaques are sweet and nice and not doing anyone any harm. I am furious. They council is supposed to look after the graves but the grass doesn't even get cut.

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"We go up regularly and cut the grass with shears because the council doesn't do it.

"These little plaques are not dangerous. They won't blow away - they are quite heavy. And they are not obtrusive. They are only about an inch thick."

John Durtnall, of The Marlowes, said in a letter to the editor he was disgusted by the cemeteries department.

"The council should know the importance of such plaques on graves," he said.

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"If it was a large or ugly plaque I would understand. I feel the council should have some heart and consider the feelings of bereaved people and their needs of remembrance."

He added that each case should be looked at individually.

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