Bolton council has attributed delays in cemetery maintenance to a cycle of warm spells followed by heavy rain, after residents reported shock at the condition of graves. At a recent full council meeting, Horwich & Blackrod First councillor Andrea Finney submitted a question stating that many residents were 'appalled by the condition of our cemeteries this year'. She highlighted an incident at Blackrod Chapel Cemetery where two teenagers, distressed by the neglect of their loved ones' graves, took it upon themselves to cut the grass.
Council's Response and Weather Excuse
In a written response, the council explained that their team conducted an initial cut from April into early May, but subsequent weather patterns—warm spells followed by heavy rain—triggered rapid grass growth. The statement noted: 'This type of weather cycle encourages rapid grass growth in spring, and following the first cut, grass across the borough grew aggressively and quickly.' Wet conditions also hampered operations, as strimmers and mowers became impossible to use in very wet weather, leading to lost cutting days.
The council acknowledged that despite their best efforts, they struggled to maintain the same standard as the previous year. However, they assured that the difficulties were temporary, with grass growth slowing from late June onwards. 'The team are confident that visitors will start to see an improvement in the appearance of cemeteries into the summer period,' the response added.
Criticism from Councillors
Horwich & Blackrod First party leader David Grant dismissed the council's explanation as 'clouded by excuses'. He pointed out that the council had boasted about a £350,000 budget increase and a team of nine staff for cemetery maintenance. 'Last year the council claims they did a great job because it was a dry spring and the grass didn’t grow fast. This year they claim that because we had a cycle of warm spells and heavy rain, the grass grew “aggressively” and they couldn’t keep up,' Grant said. He questioned why the council did not plan for typical British spring weather, stating: 'Vegetation growth isn’t a surprise — it happens every single year.'
Maintenance Challenges
The council is responsible for seven large municipal cemeteries, five closed Church of England cemeteries, and one Muslim cemetery, encompassing approximately 400,000 headstones. The response highlighted the complexity of grass cutting, which requires strimming around each headstone, blowing cuttings off, and mowing uneven ground with hidden kerbs and hazards. 'The work is time consuming and difficult, but the service recognises the sensitivities surrounding cemetery maintenance and the teams work hard to keep the cemeteries in the best condition they can with the resources they have available to them,' the council stated.
