No Hastings plot for Netherfield woman

Zoey Greenwood died suddenly at her home in August but because she did not live in the town it costs twice as much to have a cremation plot.

Her family want to have her ashes laid in Hastings so all her friends, colleagues and students can easily visit the former teacher at Sussex Coast College Hastings and pay their respects.

Zoey’s mother Dee Raboe described the policy as ridiculous and will now try to have her ashes spread at Netherfield Church.

“It’s tough but we’ll keep trying and hopefully we’ll get there one day,” she said.

“She was such a big part of quite a few people’s lives and now we won’t be able to have her at Hastings crematorium so fingers crossed they will accept her at Netherfield.”

Hastings Borough Council defended the policy as a spokesman said it was common for council’s to charge double for people outside of the town they have a duty to residents to provide them with plots.

Mother-of-four Zoey trained at Sussex Coast before becoming a lecturer and was also a physiotherapist for Eastbourne Town Football Club.

Dee now hopes to have a memorial bench placed at the college instead but knows this will also cost a lot and is unsure whether they will be able to afford that either.

“We would like a bench at the college so at least her students and colleagues can go there and remember her,” she said.

“I have also been invited to present the Zoey Greenwood Award at the college every year which is very humbling and such a good thing for them to do.”

Anyone who wishes to donate towards the crematorium plot or the memorial bench can call Dee on 07921 813063.

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