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Bramshott graveyard - Phelim (8th Aug 2014 - 10:09:01) Having gone up to Bramshott Church graveyard to visit her father's and grandparent's grave my mum was shocked to see the state of the site. The graves at the front, by the war memorial, of the Canadian's who died [during] WW1 are managed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission but who is doing the rest of the site? It doesn't look as if it has been cut this year - and this is an ongoing problem. I know it is meant to be cut 4 times a year but it is now unsafe. We plan to inter the ashes of my gran who died at the end of July in the family plot but doubt that with the current state of the graveyard my aunt, who is crippled with arthritis, will be able to get to the grave without seriously injuring herself. This has only become a serious problem in the last few years, is it because the priest-in-charge at the Anglican church who have responsibility for the site does not believe that the graveyard fits in with his vision for what the Church should be doing?

Re: Bramshott graveyard - ellie (8th Aug 2014 - 10:20:21) Hi in other parishes I have lived in the churchyards were looked after by volunteers? have you thought of actually helping out in maintenance of the graves area? I am sure that there are a few other people who are fit and interested in helping you?

Re: Bramshott graveyard - DML (8th Aug 2014 - 20:19:43) It's always been a mess up there - have a look at the thread from 2012 'Bramshott Church'. My parents are buried in the side section reserved for ashes, and it's been an uphill struggle to do anything with the plot as it's not level so we can't mow it, I've had to get down on my hands and knees with a pair of scissors to cut the grass and I'm no spring chicken myself, it's continually buried under weeds and leaves from the nearby trees and is surrounded by other plots which are weed ridden and spreading even more weed seeds around. It's obvious that not everybody can get to their relatives graves regularly, either because of distance or age, yet it would appear that there is nobody looking after Bramshott churchyard, and if there is, then they're not doing a very good job of it. You can't possibly expect volunteers to look after a graveyard that size as was suggested on the 2012 thread. Surely it's not beyond a parish this size to employ someone to keep it tidy?

Re: Bramshott graveyard - Rob (8th Aug 2014 - 21:09:57) The church yard was alway lovely when a old couple from standford looked after it, they retired then it went to pot I think if the judge gives community service they should go there & cut the grass ect

Re: Bramshott graveyard - paul (9th Aug 2014 - 14:40:20) No one seems to keep to the rules of not putting fencing and statues around the plots, this makes it hard to keep the grass down. I go up regularly to my in laws plots to keep them down and try to sort a few around them, (only people I knew.) Surely it is up to the council to keep tidy. Could be wrong.

Re: Bramshott graveyard - ellie (9th Aug 2014 - 15:38:16) Have just looked it up and it is the Parochial Church Council. They are allowed to ask for grants from the local authorities. It is the descendants responsibility to look after the actual tombstone, I got this info from a church of England website. I do think though as before that a band of volunteers once a month would do wonders. I believe that the local authorities run the crematoriums so each individual denomination surely would look after their own graveyards?

Re: Bramshott graveyard - DML (9th Aug 2014 - 20:48:50) So why isn't the Parochial Church Council doing it's job then? I personally wouldn't want random 'volunteers' poking about and interfering with my parents plot. I think this is something that should be properly organised - I find it hard to believe it's nobodys job to run a graveyard. They're quick enough to take your money when you want to buy a plot, and to lay down a long list of rules about what you can and cannot do to it once you have it, but that seems to be that afterwards - you're on your own!

Re: Bramshott graveyard - Sid (9th Aug 2014 - 22:59:00) Oh Phelim, when are you going to stop having a pop at 'the priest in charge' use his name, you should know it after all. Stop complaining and do something yourself to help the situation not hinder it!

Re: Bramshott graveyard - ellie (10th Aug 2014 - 11:27:47) I agree this site should not be used to have a personal gripe exposed, go and confront the person in an adult manner. Go and see the correct authorities about graveyard maintenance, which, as previously stated should be the Parochial Church Council as they take your money when paying for burials. It should surely be possible to have a mixture there of volunteers and a gardener to look after the graves, a local gardener may offer their services for 10-15 pounds an hour especially in the winter when other jobs are in short supply.

Re: Bramshott graveyard - DML (10th Aug 2014 - 19:26:27) So many times in this forum I've seen comments to the effect that 'this site isn't the proper place to discuss this'. Er .. actually the statement at the top of this page says:.... 'Talkback is for the residents and businesses in Liphook to voice their views and opinions about local issues and events'. I think the parish graveyard and it's upkeep qualifies as a local issue. I use this forum regularly and it has become apparent the Editor keeps very firm control over its content. I send in my comments in the knowledge that if he doesn't think them suitable for publication then they simply won't appear. I bow to the Editors judgement, and I know that if he feels it is descending into a slanging match or people are becoming abusive to each other or making inappropriate comments he will simply remove the entire thread. So I will continue to contribute to forum and let the Editor decide if it's appropriate.

Re: Bramshott graveyard - Diane (11th Aug 2014 - 14:50:49) Walked through the churchyard yesterday with friends. Oh dear it is so sad to see how it has been neglected especially when you reach the war graves and see how well tended they are. I think most of the neglected ones near the church are old ones and there is not any one to look after them. Perhaps Val can stop healing for a while and see if he could solve the problem.

Re: Bramshott graveyard - Chris (11th Aug 2014 - 16:15:03) In March this year the Church were awarded two thousand pounds as a grant from the parish council. Their application stated this was for the upkeep of the graveyard. They said there was a regular gardener plus they would be paying for people on community service to come and garden as well.

Re: Bramshott graveyard - Simon (11th Aug 2014 - 16:53:59) I went through this morning and most of the graveyard is looking pretty well looked after. Yes the CWG area is always well tended. There are some graves still needing TLC, I guess it all takes time. I dare say though I don't know, that the Church could always do with a helping hand from Churchgoers or even those that stroll through. Volunteers for a bit of community work are harder to recruit than complainants. Carpe diem, all those with a spare half hour to walk the dog.

Re: Bramshott graveyard - Nicola (11th Aug 2014 - 17:04:43) DML How true you are in your above statement, free speech and all that. Bit of a shame then, that over on the other thread headed the Start of the Maltings, that you shot someone down for daring to talk about Malthouse Meadows ;)

Re: Bramshott graveyard - DML (11th Aug 2014 - 17:37:33) I didn't shoot someone down, I pointed out the thread was about the Maltings as the poster had clearly mis-read it. Just being helpful, as I'm sure you were in pointing out my misdemeanour, thankyou Nicola.

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