A Northumberland man has expressed outrage over the condition of the graveyard where his parents are buried, after it was left overgrown with nettles and thistles. James Plenderleith stated that the state of the area shows a lack of respect for the deceased.
Complaints About Rennington's All Saints Church Graveyard
The 56-year-old has previously raised concerns about the situation at Rennington's All Saints Church. Northumberland County Council currently cuts the grass on behalf of the church, but certain areas are reportedly left to grow for biodiversity reasons.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, James said: "It's been going on for years. I just want the place to be tidied up and respected." He added: "There are war graves in the cemetery as well. It's not right."
Emotional Impact on Families
James noted that the overgrowth makes it painful to visit: "It hurts me to go, so I haven't been as much as I should. There's no respect for the people in the graveyard - the dead or their families." He also highlighted health and safety concerns, stating: "Saying it is wild flowers is a cop-out, the weeds should be sprayed and killed off at the beginning of the season."
James' mother Sybella Plenderleith died in 2017 at age 78, and his father Archie died in August 2021 at age 83. James said their deaths are "still raw" and the graveyard's condition "does not help."
Council's Response
A spokeswoman for Northumberland County Council responded: "We are committed to maintaining our public spaces so that they are well presented and accessible while also protecting nature and important habitats." She added: "The county council cuts huge amounts of grass each year - often up to 10 times each year - right across the whole county and our work is often praised. In this particular area, the grass is cut regularly with the nature friendly sections left uncut for longer to support biodiversity."
Church's Perspective
Local Vicar Alison Hardy explained: "At All Saints Rennington we rely entirely on a very small group of volunteers to do some groundwork in the Churchyard. They work hard and their efforts are appreciated but their capacity is limited." She emphasized: "The Churchyard is not neglected, and the Parochial Church Council (PCC) does not consider it to be an issue. Rather, it is a green and growing space, a natural environment and a haven for a wide diversity of plants and an abundance of wildlife."
Hardy noted that some families tend to their own gravespaces and that no other complaints have been received. She said: "Like all organisations with limited resources of time and money, we have to make decisions about priorities. We cannot afford to pay for churchyard maintenance, instead we work hard to keep All Saints Rennington open for visitors, public worship and key life events including baptisms weddings and funerals."
She concluded: "In addition we respect deeply the quiet, sacred space which the Churchyard affords and offer a welcome to all who wish to celebrate the wonders of God's creation. The Church Council takes all complaints seriously and we will revisit this matter at our next meeting. In the meantime, if anyone wishes to join the volunteer group they are welcome to contact me."
