Lucy Allan MP is calling on Telford residents to come together for a community clean-up of an overgrown cemetery.
The cemetery, on Cemetery Road in Dawley Bank, Telford, has been there for over a hundred years- and now a local church is trying to get it back into shape with the help of the local community.
Lucy Allan MP said: “The cemetery has a lot of historic graves that, unfortunately, over the years have become overgrown and now have trees and bushes growing out of them.
“I’m pleased to support Dawley Baptist Church in organising a community clean-up to cut back overgrown plants.
“Dawley Baptist Church has been doing its best over the years to maintain the ground, and now needs our help to get it better under control.
“The church has a small stipend for maintenance of the cemetery, so when the worst of the growth is cleaned up it will be easier for them to keep on top of it.
“If you have any gardening tools, like shears, shovels, and chainsaws, please bring them along with you as we need more equipment to make this happen.”
“Cemeteries are vital community spaces. Having somewhere to go to pay your respects to loved ones is important, and there are families who have generations buried there.
Kevin Newell, Secretary of Dawley Baptist Church, said: “We do receive grants, both from Telford and Wrekin Council and Lawley and Overdale Parish Council, yet for all the money we spend the cemetery is gradually becoming more overgrown.
“The pathways that were once well defined gravel tracks around and between the graves have disappeared.
“Rapid growth this year meant that the elderly and infirm were denied access to the cemetery in May.
“We applied some years ago for the Council to adopt the cemetery, but were told they only accept Church of England cemeteries.
“The cemetery should be restored to have proper pathways and benches fitted and should once again become that place of peace and reflection.”
Dawley Bank resident Steve Cruise said: “My nan passed away recently and her ashes have been placed with her parents and brother. I was shocked by the condition of the cemetery and really want to do something about it.”
The community clean-ups will be held on Saturday 19th September and Saturday 26th September at the cemetery on Cemetery Road in Dawley Bank.