Weaste Cemetery

[Salford Lass]

Hi

Me and Heather are looking into getting something done with those headstones, it may take time though.

I have sent an email to the guy from the Weaste Cemetery Heritage, hopefully, he can tell us what if
anything is being done.

I think the only reason those stones are where they are, is for safety reasons, there are few headstones with
notices on them, and I can quite understandebly see why. I am not saying its right to remove the headstones
but some are in such a dangerous state, they could kill someone.

Anyway, we will keep you all informed on any progress we make, if only a temporary measure to get them transcribed
if nothing else.

Debbie

[Mr. MIGKY]

Salford just like Manchester are just using this as a money making scam. If they had any thoughts for the people who owned the graves or any family's who were searching for these graves. They would lay them inscription side up, then you could read them. Health and safety is a great excuse to make money and is there way of copping out of there responsibility. I have known family's been charged up to £350 to secure head stone
Migky 

[chirp]

I fear you may be right Migky - H&S is a great way to make money (and for sad little bureaucrats to earn brownie points). Thank you Salford Lass for taking this on -do post if you need any backup, ie letters writing in support of what you're trying to achieve. It is so important that at least the information is preserved. Do you think that only unstable stones have been removed? It would be great if the Heritage people could confirm that no others have been or will be taken down. Good luck to you and Heather.
Chirp

[emmsthheight]

Hi Heather, Migky, all!

Sounds great what you're doing.  I'm sure I was told the reason for ours being moved was to make mowing easier.  SAs I said though, it was one with a little wall, etc I've been told.

I'll keep my eye on the post.

Best wishes

Emms

[Salford Lass]

Hi

Migky - I appreciate what you are saying, but and I can only say this for Weaste Cemetery, there are very few burials take place there now, and most of the Headstones haven't got owners, which means there is no one available to make good the damaged or falling headstones.

Chirp - yes I do believe that the only Headstones that have been removed are those that would have caused danger to someone.

Health and Safety - from my point of view only - If i went to a Grave Yard, and say I was transcribing, and I held the top of a Gravestone (which I have done in the past), and it fell on me, (assuming I was only Injured and not dead), Who do I sue ?, so yes I agree that unsafe Headstones should be removed, but I would prefer them to be laid flat for Inscription purposes.

Upkeep of Gravestones - no offence Migky, but if I had paid in the region of £1,000 plus for a burial, headstone etc, I would look after it, if a headstone was not maintained, what are the councils suppose to do ? There are many Headstones that are not looked after by the people who own them, although Family Researchers like myself and you now know what that means.

I think we all need to look at the wider issue here and not let our hearts rule our heads!!!

To All - thanks for the Support lol

Debbie

[uk2003]

Interesting post

But to be honest I would not pay to have a headstone fixed as it is a complete rip off. It does not matter if I own the grave rights or not, if I find a fallen stone of a family member "near or far" I go back at weekend and refix myself with the aid of a spade and a couple of bags of concrete, and a mate called Stu.

The ones I have reinstalled would need dynamite to get out.

As for the councils, they never see cemeteries as historical places, which I think they should do. I agree, stones in a dangerous condition should be layed down but face up flush with the grass so the mowers can get over them. It's not hard to do

Blackburn Fossil 

[Mr. MIGKY]

Tis a poor excuse to let the council off the hook. It is them who place the headstones face down. It is them that do as little maintenance as possible. It is the people who in the beginning pay for those grave and pay by way of taxes to the council. You only have to look at the state of Weaste  or the buildings at Agecroft to see what i mean. Salford council are worst than Manchester for ripping people off with the price of grave infomation. £15 for just who is in a grave. Manchester has been shamed into giving out more FREE grave infomation. Still can't beat Tameside for there great service on burial records
No offense Salford lass
Migky

[Mr. MIGKY]

Hi & welcome to rootschat Blackburn Fossil. It must have taken you ages to re-erecting the headstone. It is lucky you had a good friend to help you. I see you under stand by what i meant when i said the council laying headstone face down. Not all are to do with health and safety. I have a family members head stone that is a little over 18 inches high, and just because it is leaning  forward slightly they have put a notice on it say it is a problem. I bet next time i go to the cemetery it will be laid face down.
Migky 

[uk2003]

Thanks Migky

Yes you really need a friend to help.

Thanks for the private message but I cannot reply for some reason. Now hoping to spend more time on here.

Cheers
BF