Concerns at the state of cemeteries in Abergele and Rhyl

Relatives of loved ones buried in Dyserth Road Cemetery, Rhyl, and Llanfair Road Cemetery, Abergele, are worried about the condition of both sites.

The site in Dyserth Road was described as one family member as a ‘bomb site’.

In Abergele, it is claimed relatives have to climb over branches and trees that have been left on the ground for about two weeks.

Susan Roberts took a wreath to the Rhyl site just before Christmas and was surprised to see the grass growing wild, rubbish, as well as flower bowls missing. She also said the site was waterlogged and ‘dozens’ of headstones were lying on the ground.

The site in Rhyl is overgrown. Picture: Susan Roberts

Mrs Roberts, who has been visiting her mother’s grave for 40 years, said: "I was 19 when I lost my mother. She was 42.

“The graveyard looks like a bomb site. Nothing has been done there.

“It is a total disgrace. When we visited, we couldn’t even walk across. There was mud everywhere - it looked like it had been hit by a tidal wave.

“It is very sad.There is an air of depression, it is terrible. Dreadful. It used to be a lovely place, beautiful.”

The former health visitor, who lives 12-miles away from the site, added: “It was very notable that it hadn’t been looked after when I visited. The grass had not been cut for months and there is rubbish everywhere.”

A sign is in place in Rhyl.

“It just looks dreadful. A lot of the graves have been put flat - it is a health and safety issue. You can’t see them when you walk round. It is like a swamp in places.”

A yellow sign is in place at the site which states: “We apologise for the adverse ground conditions which are beyond our control.”

“People are paying their rates to the Council to look after the site,” added Mrs Roberts.

There are headstones that have been laid flat in Rhyl.

“There is dead grass lying flat and you can’t tell where each grave is with a lot of headstones down. The dishes, that hold the flowers, are also missing.”

In Abergele, it is understood branches have been left on the ground following work by contractors.

One person posted on the Abergele, Llanddulas and District Discussion Forum on Facebook: “That’s so disrespectful isn’t it. Hope it gets rectified soon.”

“I understand maintenance has to be done in the graveyard but they could be a bit more respectful by not putting the trees and rubbish on loved ones graves and put them away from them” another posted.

Loved ones are having to climb over branches in Abergele. Picture: June Sheppard

Another resident said: “Hope they sort it out it’s not very nice people visiting their loved ones at this time of year especially.”

Since Mrs Roberts’ last visit and as a result of no rain, the site is now dry.

A Denbighshire County Council spokesperson said: “The Dyserth Road site is one of our cemeteries. The grass probably does look as if needs to be cut, but at this time of year, this doesn’t happen as it is difficult to get the machines on there due to the ground being sodden.

“There have been complaints of the bins being full. Full bins aren’t unusual at this time of year when relatives visit the graves before Christmas, but they have now been emptied.They were emptied on the December 23 and 24and again on the December 27.

"The staff visited the site on Monday [December 30], and it all looks okay.”

It is understood to be the town council who look after the site in Abergele.

No one was available for comment at the time the Journal went to press.