A local family have spoken out over the state of a churchyard in Helston where their loved ones are buried.
Nick James has shared his thoughts on the closed churchyard at St Michael’s Church in Helston where his brother and sister, Matthew and Lucy are buried.
Matthew, aged 12, and his ten-year-old sister Lucy died in 1996 in a car accident which was caused by a drink driver.
Their dad, Steve Kimberley has been sharing poignant messages for several years about the lasting impact of drink driving.
Graves at St Michael's Churchyard (Image: NQ Staff)
In a post shared on Facebook this week, Nick said that the council has left the churchyard to ‘grow wild’ in the interest of biodiversity, a move he understands, but finds disrespectful to those who still visit the graves of loved ones.
“I completely understand the need for biodiverse green areas in towns,” he said, “but it feels so disrespectful to people who still use the graveyard for its intended purpose, so many do that."
Helston Town Council, who are partly responsible for maintenance of the grounds at St Michael’s Church under a contract to Cormac and St Michael's PCC (Parochial Church Council) told the Packet that questions or concerns regarding the churchyard should be raised with St Michael’s PCC.
“We maintain St Michael’s Church Yard under contract to Cormac and St Michael’s PCC to a cutting schedule specified and set out by St Michael’s PCC.
“We are not authorised to carry out maintenance outside of the cutting schedule,” said a council spokesperson.
“I understand that the church agreed with the schedule with some areas being left uncut with the aim of increasing biodiversity."
The churchyard has become overgrown (Image: NQ Staff)
John Boase, St Michael’s Church Warden, has also expressed concern about the current state of the church grounds. He said while the grounds are scheduled for five cuts annually, the actual number of cuts falls short, resulting in overgrown areas.
He said: “It’s meant to be cut five times a year. Cornwall Council cut it three times, the church itself pays for one, and as far as I know, Helston Town Council pays for one.
“However, grass being grass it grows back so quickly.”
John said that he would like to see the churchyard improved, specifically the area by the war memorial, and around the back and sides.
He also commented on other churches in the area, saying they looked ‘much nicer’ but added that those churches have more of a supportive and financial community backing.
The Packet has contacted the rural dean for Helston and the surrounding area, Rev Heidi Huntley, for a comment also.
There have been similar concerns raised recently over the condition of Helston Cemetery.
The cemetery on Meneage Road is looking similarly overgrown, with several people commenting about this on Facebook.
The long grass at Helston Cemetery on Meneage Road (Image: NQ Staff)
In a bid to improve the cemetery grounds, Guy Watson of Trevow Helston, a theatre group based in the old chapel at the cemetery, is calling upon volunteers to take part in a ‘weed-busting party’ to help improve the appearance of the grounds. This will take place on Friday, August 9, between 10am and 1pm.
And it’s not just Guy who wants to help maintain the area.
Earlier this month, James Martin, a Cormac volunteer shared a video on Facebook of his work to help improve the cemetery.
Mr Martin said he had recently been diagnosed with PTSD and wanted to show people what he does to help him cope with his mental health.
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