Familes demand answers after graves are damaged

Families are demanding answers after discovering their memorials damaged by Powys County Council grave diggers at Welshpool’s Maesgwasted Cemetery.

Several graves were damaged by what appears to be a a mini-digger driven by council staff preparing a grave for a burial on Tuesday, March 13.

Families visiting relative’s graves took to social media at the weekend to voice disgust and Powys County Council has promised a full investigation.

Cabinet Member Liam Fitzpatrick described the situation as “totally unacceptable.”

“I was appalled when contacted by local County Councillor Graham Breeze on Sunday night and immediately made contact with concerned families to offer the council’s apologies.

“A thorough investigation wil take place and action taken to ensure that this sort of thing never happens again,” he said.

Sarah Jones took to Facebook to write: “Just been up to Maesgwasted to my Grandparents grave. Furious and devastated the mess that the gravediggers have made. They could have put boards down or even gone a different way.”

Lucy Morgan wrote: “It's disgusting. Even run over a few of the grave stones. They've turned up the ground on my gran and grandads grave. They dug one opposite and their turning circle was their grave.”

Gwyneth Perry said: “It’s not good enough. It’s hard enough for relatives going there in the first place without going there and finding things like this happening.

Dean Gill said: “They have total disregard for everyone and everything up there my dad's grave has been damaged again for the second time.”

Councillor Breeze said he was “appalled and upset” by the situation. “I find it hard to understand how this can have happened. There has been a total disregard for people’s property and feelings.

“I was contacted on Sunday and immediately took the matter to the Cabinet member Liam Fitzpatrick, who personally called those affected with an apology and a promise of a full investigation. That investigation is ongoing.

“Anyone whose loved ones graves have been damaged should write to Nigel Brinn, Head of Service, Highways, Transportation & Recycling at Powys County Council, Spa East Road, Llandrindod, Powys, LD1 5LG.”