Broxtowe Borough Council Denies Causing Damage to Gravestones During Churchyard Inspection

Broxtowe Borough Council has rejected allegations from local residents asserting that it caused damage to gravestones during an examination conducted at a churchyard located in Nottinghamshire. On November 7, approximately 70 gravestones at St Helen’s Church in Trowell were designated “unsafe” with yellow markers following the council’s inspection. Subsequently, multiple families have expressed their conviction that the graves of their deceased relatives sustained damage during this procedure. The council stated its mandate was to assess graves within the closed area of the churchyard, but acknowledged that it had also inspected the active cemetery “in error.” Nevertheless, it disclaimed any responsibility for causing damage during the operation. The inspections were carried out because the authority holds a contract for the maintenance of the closed section. The remaining portion of the graveyard is under the ownership of the church. Robert Abrahall, 78, whose five-year-old daughter Teresa is interred at the location, has a headstone that has been labeled “unsafe.” He characterized the experience as “disgusting,” stating: “This is a sentimental place for me. It is my daughter’s grave… I was in tears when I saw the sign.” Mr. Abrahall indicated that the necessary repairs to secure the headstone are costing him £380, an expense he contends the council should cover. He questioned, “How do I afford this on my pension? My ex-wife is having to help me with the costs.” He further inquired, “What about the people with nobody to look after them? If there’s no family member to repair them, what happens to their headstones?” Nigel Horridge, aged 63, reported discovering his parents’ headstone, also designated unsafe, to be “dislodged and damaged” during a recent visit. He commented, “It has been robust since I left [my parents] to rest – I check it regularly.” His brother, Ian Horridge, further questioned, “How can it have been rock solid six weeks ago, but now it rocks with one finger?” Don Pringle, a Conservative councillor representing Broxtowe Borough Council, confirmed receiving complaints from nearly a dozen residents and pledged to bring the matter up at the forthcoming council meeting. A spokesperson for the council elaborated: “Due to many factors, memorials deteriorate over time and can potentially become a risk to those who visit and work within the cemetery. Although a memorial may visually appear to be stable, on inspection, the internal fixing system can be corroded deeming the memorial unsafe.” The authority indicated that its inspection “identified a number of unsafe memorials” and emphasized that its testing methodology involved visual assessment followed by a “gentle hand push test,” performed to “identify any movement between components.” The spokesperson affirmed, “The council does not agree that damage was caused through the testing process.” They added, “The responsibility of the repairs lies with the memorial owner.” St Helen’s Church has been contacted for a statement.