Ada Burnell's grave (photo 2007)
A look at the overgrown gravesite at Torbay Cemetery does warrant a review of how the Council manages the graves that have been paid for in perpetuity. Originally the headstone was pure white with black writing.
Ada Burnell's gravesite is a gravesite paid for 'in perpetuity', which covers the period 1940 to 2039. This grave is to be maintained in perpetuity' as confirmed for me once again in a letter sent to me by the Torquay Cemetery, letter Ref: TC/3/VF dated 3 March 1997.
Maintained also implies that the grave will be kept free of overgrown weeds. Unfortunately it is all too clear looking at this and photos of other graves in this graveyard that this is a very poorly maintained cemetery, with some headstones defaced or knocked down and simply left lying on the ground. Not only is it a dishonour to the dead, but also it represents unfulfilled commitments by the Local Council.
Travis Burnell
PS Note that there are several concerned parties who are protesting Council's neglect and are apparently lobbying Council to keep these grave sites in respectable order.
For more information - Go Here:
http://www.graveprotest.ukgo.com/index.html
OR
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/england/cornwall/3598248.stm
