Crewe Crematorium - Is it more important than St Michaels?

October 10th, 2006 Written by barry

The cemetery in Badger Ave, Crewe, is a lovely resting place. Almost like a park in fact. The grass in neatly mown, the paths are clean and safe, the headstones are all upright and those that are not, are laid down to ensure public safety at all times. Sounds lovely doesnt it? The kind of place we would all like to be laid to rest.

So, what about St Michaels Churchyard, also in Crewe?

This churchyard is where my nan is buried, and upon enquiring, I was told it would cost the same to have my mum buried in that churchyard, than it would at the Cemetery. So, if the cost is the same, then why is St Michaels almost completely neglected? At certain times of the year, the weeds are higher than most small children. The pathways are in a diabolical condition, even going so far as to be unsafe, to say the least. The gravestones are an accident waiting to happen and of course, it will take a child to get crushed before anybody actually does anything about it.

I have made enquiries myself in the past as to the condition of the churchyard and my brother was even featured in Crewe Chronicle with an article about vandalism, after the desecration of my nans grave. This left the gravestone smashed into several pieces and a rather unhappy family, as you can imagine.

When enquiring, we were told that the ownership of St Michaels churchyard was in question. It seemed the local council says it belongs to the vicar/parish and the vicar just didnt seem sure at all. Either way, following a letter of complaint to the vicar, the gates are now locked at nights to keep out the drunks and vandals. However, what confuses me, is that Crewe & Nantwich Borough Council staff appear at random intervals and mow the grass and clean the paths. Surely, they wouldnt be doing this out of the taxpayers money unless it was in fact their responsibility? So lets assume it is.

The Cemetery is manned by around a dozen or more staff who dutifully keep the place looking lovely. You cant take it away from them, they do a fantastic job. Of course, im not begrudging the cemetery the right to be nice and clean. Its a credit to the town. But why cant St Michaels Churchyard be kept just as nice? Pay a visit to both and the difference between them in terms of maintenance is vast. It just doesnt seem right. They are both important landmarks, they are both places of rest and they are both visited regularly by members of the public. So why not keep both of them clean and tidy… and more importantly, safe.

Surely, if the budget was divided evenly between them, it would be a little fairer. Or perhaps just give St Michaels a little more of the budget. Wouldnt it be nice to have two areas of rest in the town, that do us proud? Rather than just having one exceptionally nice park-like area and the other like a bomb site?

The workers who do the work, when it is actually done, do a smashing job… it just doesnt get done enough. Typically, around twice a year, if we are lucky.

Added: It seems the council IS responsible for St Michaels (aka Coppenhall Cemetery)
http://www.crewe-nantwich.gov.uk/main.asp?page=714#1106

Entry Filed under: Local News & Views