Overgrown cemeteries won't be cut back in Weymouth
Weymouth Council have narrowly voted to continue with a rewilding project
An overgrown cemetery that’s been called “undignified and disrespectful” by some will be left untouched by Weymouth Town Council.
Town councillors were split on the decision to cut the grass or not but ultimately decided against it and instead “support wildlife and biodiversity”.
The decision to allow grass and plants to grow in Weymouth's cemeteries is part of the town’s ‘Living Cemeteries’ rewilding policy.
Cllr Joanna Dickenson told us she’s massively against the project: “Biodiversity is incredibly important, I'd be the first to submit that, but surely there are more suitable places we could perhaps do it.
“Why can't we just keep them tidy? Why are we always going down this road where everything has to be overgrown?”
There have been mixed opinions across the town with some residents describing the cemeteries as both 'beautiful' and a 'disgrace'.
Cllr Dickenson told us she received a myriad of upset phone calls and emails from her constituents about the state of the grounds, with some even stopping her on the street to express their concern.
She explained that upon her visit to Melcombe Regis cemetery she came across a grave of a young man who “fought for our country” in the 1945.
“His grave was barely visible,” she said. “I could not even make out his name until I pulled the grass out of the way.”
Cllr Dickenson added: “Quite frankly, I was absolutely disgusted when I first saw the state of our cemeteries.
“I think they should be maintained so it remains dignified, but instead I feel the rewilding policy show a huge level of disrespect.
“I personally think cemeteries should be neat, peaceful places, not jungle messes.”
However, a public consultation revealed that 60% of residents voted in favour of the council’s ‘Living Cemeteries’ project, while only 36% disagreed.
Cllr Dickenson said: “I have put forward a compromise whereby the actual graves and pathways are kept neat and tidy, as a mark of respect, while on the periphery of the cemetery we grow wildflowers, boost biodiversity and leave the grass to grow.
“If we did this then it could look really beautiful and then everybody's happy.”
But the committee chairman recommended the proposal to keep the 'living cemetery' policy in place.
He said: “I get why there are different opinions. For me, I like the nature there.
"The data in that survey shows support to carry on with the 'living cemetery' process and all that encompasses.”