'I called the police as I genuinely thought it was vandalism' - council says sorry for upsetting families after a number of headstones were laid down at a Harborough district cemetery

Parish council chiefs in a Harborough district village have made a heartfelt apology to local people left distraught after a number of headstones were laid down at a cemetery.

Broughton Astley Parish Council said it was “very sorry” and “regrets the unintended impact on families” after the controversial health and safety operation at Frolesworth Road cemetery.

The council has held up its hands after an angry woman villager said: “People here are furious and I was so shocked and upset when I attended the cemetery and saw all these headstones laid down.

“I called the police as I genuinely thought it was vandalism.

“I called the police crying my eyes out because I was so upset for everyone affected.”

She added: “I honestly don’t believe all those headstones were unsafe.

“This was very badly handled.”

The council has now been stung into issuing a full explanation of its actions after a barrage of furious complaints on local social media and to South Leicestershire MP Alberto Costa.

“It was definitely not the parish council’s intention to cause distress to any of the families but regret any that has been caused.

“We have a legal obligation to carry out these inspections to protect all visitors to the cemetery and to appoint a qualified memorial inspector, in this case G Sellers, to carry out that inspection following the prescribed process laid out by the National Association of Memorial Masons (NAMM).

“There have been a number of accidents in cemeteries in the past, including some very unfortunate fatalities of children, and the council would not want something similar to happen to their residents.

“Notice of the upcoming inspection was posted on the parish notice board at the cemetery from mid-November and subsequently on the parish council website,” said Broughton Astley Parish Council.

“On reflection, parish councillors could have given greater consideration to how effective our communication would be to those potentially affected by the inspection.

“We acknowledge that this did not reach some families and will learn from this for future inspections.

“From the 5th of January to the 15th of January, G Sellers carried out the inspections which, unfortunately, identified a number of memorials that were deemed to be unsafe and therefore immediate action was required to ensure that nobody could be injured.

“They used an approved NAMM method to temporarily lay them down with all due respect and care.

“It was very unfortunate that this action had to be taken.

“The council is very sorry for any distress that this has caused, and acknowledges that it is a very upsetting situation for the affected families.

“G Sellers provided the report to the Parish Office who commenced tracing the Deed of Grant owner of the affected memorials.

“Those efforts are on-going and the parish office is contacting people at the addresses held on the register.

“We would encourage those who have been affected but not yet received a letter to contact the office.

“Parish councillors were informed of the number of memorials which had been affected at the parish council meeting of the 21st of January 2021 and were advised that the process of tracing the Deed of Grant holders had commenced as per the defined process.”

Hinckley-based funeral director G Sellers is now offering to “reinstate all of the affected memorials to the current safety standards (BS 8415) without charge to the families”.

“This will ensure that the memorials are safe and that families will be able to visit the cemetery secure in the knowledge that they will not be harmed by an unsafe memorial.

“Under the law, in order for that to take place the families must be given the choice whether to take up that offer or to choose to engage another qualified mason to reinstate their memorial,” said the council.

“Going forward, we can ensure you that the parish council will make all endeavours to make future inspections as less stressful as we are able.”

Local MP Alberto Costa said he’s been contacted by a string of distressed villagers “with their concerns regarding headstones being laid on the ground at Frolesworth Road Cemetery”.

“I know that this is a deeply sensitive matter and that a number of constituents were upset by the parish council taking this action.

“My office has been in touch with Broughton Astley Parish Council.

“I am very pleased to say that both they and G Seller (the funeral director and the Parish Council's Memorial Inspector) have very kindly agreed to reinstate all the headstones, in line with current safety standards, at no charge to the families concerned,” said Conservative MP Alberto on his Facebook page.

“Of course, the parish council's intention was never to cause any distress in this case - and they have expressed regret at the situation.

“But I am pleased that this matter is now hopefully resolved to a satisfactory end for those involved.”