Son's plea for 'common sense' after soil dumped on man's grave
Christopher died at the age of 68 in 2023 and Freddie went to visit his grave in early June, on what would have been Christopher's birthday.He did not expect to return a week later to find the grave had been covered in a pile of earth.Freddie said he believes the soil was left there for four to five days, but cannot be certain.The 37-year-old said: "It was a really big mound of mud, placed close to the place where he's buried and when we got closer we realised it was actually on top of his grave. "Cemetery staff had moved all the flowers and cards and just tossed them to the side and piled a load of mud on my dad's grave - obviously digging the grave next to it. "They just left us with a big mess."
Freddie believes there was enough space on the wider grassed area to put the freshly dug earth. He added: "It only takes a minute of extra thinking to say, put it behind us, it's Father's Day."In a statement, Leicester City Council said: "It is common practice in all cemeteries that when digging a grave for a burial there will be occasions when the soil needs to be temporarily placed on an adjacent grave."This would be for a very short time only, and the soil would be placed on boards to ensure no damage was caused. "The soil is always removed as soon as possible after the adjacent burial has taken place"."We do, however, apologise, for any distress caused in this instance and we have contacted the family to apologise. We can offer the assurance that the soil has been removed without any damage to the grave."
Freddie, from Claybrooke Magna in Leicestershire, said he would accept an apology from the council or cemetery if he had been given one.He said: "I'd like to see a bit of common sense used and a bit of respect shown for people's graves in the future."From what they say it is standard procedure but I don't think it's morally right to be decimating graves when they had plenty of space to put the mud elsewhere."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
11 minutes ago
- The Sun
I'm a garden expert – bathroom staple could give your furniture an instant makeover
NOW that summer is well underway, there has never been a more perfect time to get out and relax in the garden. It can be the perfect place to put your feet up, relax, and take in the sunshine while enjoying the greenery. 3 3 3 But without our recent flip-flop weather, one minute our outdoor furniture will look great, and the next it will need another clean and wipe down. Items like chairs and tables are magnets for dirt and grime, and even just one day of heavy rain and wind can be enough for them to get dirty all over again. But did you know that one small, bathroom staple could effortlessly give it a new lease of life? Garden pros have revealed that a toothbrush can be a useful tool for a deep clean. And they have urged homeowners to think twice about tossing their old toothbrushes before using them to spruce up their outdoor furniture. Bradley Spencer, of garden furniture specialists Royal Finesse, revealed that it works on all types of surfaces. He said: 'The unpredictable weather can leave garden furniture looking less than its best at times. 'A regular deep clean can not only protect the longevity and functionality of outdoor items but give them an instant makeover too. 'With wooden furniture, it's recommended to use a soft cloth or sponge and water mixed with a mild soap to wipe dirt off the surfaces. 'A soft-bristle toothbrush can be used to remove dirt and loose debris from crevices and hard-to-reach spots, taking care not to damage the wood by scrubbing too hard. 'I was quoted £10,000 for a garden renovation but did it MYSELF for £1,000 using ChatGPT to show my kids what single mums can do' 'White vinegar mixed with water can also be useful for tackling any stubborn dirt. 'Finally, give the item a rinse with clean water to remove any lingering soap or vinegar and allow to dry. 'You might be surprised just how much of a difference a deep clean can make to your garden furniture. "And it can give the entire outdoor space a makeover, too.' According to Bradley, good-quality wooden garden furniture can last decades if cared for properly. He recommends conducting a deep clean at least twice a year. And he said reapplying a sealant or protective oil can go a long way to maintaining its longevity. When not in use through the winter, protective covers can be used to keep the elements at bay. Or if possible, it can be moved into an indoor area such as a shed if practical. Bradley also warns against a common mistake some people make while cleaning their garden furniture. He added: 'Using a pressure washer to clean wooden garden furniture can be risky as it may cause damage if not done properly. 'The powerful blasts can damage the protective coating, cause chips in the wood and make it more vulnerable to water and sun damage.' The mistake that could wreck your outdoor furniture IF you want to make sure that you don't accidentally ruin your outdoor furniture during the hot weather then you might want to take note. Experts have revealed that there is a huge garden mistake you could be making during the hot temperatures that could wreck your outdoor space. Since Scotland gets a lot of wet and windy weather - at the tail end of the year - most homeowners cover up their beloved garden furniture over winter. But leaving this on when the weather is hot and sunny could actually cause anything that is under it to MELT. As a result, outdoor expert Andrew White from Harbour Lifestyle has urged homeowners to remove their covers now before they permanently damage their outdoor furniture. He said: "When the temperature is rising, it is important to remove your garden furniture covers. "Most garden furniture covers are lined with PVC to repel the elements during wet weather. "But when they are placed under a direct heat source such as the sun, they can actually melt and leave a residue or stain on your furnishings. 'Some materials in lower quality, less expensive furnishings can become brittle if left in direct sunlight for extended periods of time. "To prevent fading and breakage, you should ensure your furniture is well-shaded during sunny periods.
BBC News
41 minutes ago
- BBC News
Greater Manchester's role in the WW2 battle for the skies
During World War Two, Greater Manchester was a hive of activity building planes that played a vital role in the war effort. And the factories - and people who worked in them - were a target for German bombers. Joe Jervis, now 102, began working as an apprentice fitter at the Fairey Aviation works at Heaton Chapel in Stockport in 1937, when he was said he remembered a time when "German planes raided Fairey's but they missed by a few yards and they hit the back of the McVitie's biscuit works". "People stayed calm and we continued to make planes for our aircraft carriers," he said. The munitions factory at Heaton Chapel, which opened in 1917, made hundreds of bombers for the Royal Air Force during the First World site was acquired by Fairey Aviation in 1934 and five years later it was visited by King George VI, who inspected the planes on the eve of the Second World of people worked at the factory during the war, making hundreds of planes like the Fairey Battle, the Fairey Barracuda and the Handley Page were transported from Heaton Chapel and were assembled at the nearby RAF Ringway, which became Manchester Airport in 1957. Roy Clarke, who began work as an apprentice at Fairey Aviation in 1950, said he remembers growing up on a farm at Styal, close to Ringway 90 year-old said: "I watched the planes being assembled at Ringway as a schoolboy and the farm where I was born is underneath the second runway now."I remember the tarpaulins at Manchester Cathedral after a bombing raid and I thought Herr Hitler can't possibly win because he's offended the Lord." Several aircraft factories across Greater Manchester employed tens of thousands of people during the Second World War. Aeroplane propellers were made by De Havilland at Lostock in Bolton, Rolls Royce engines were made at Trafford Park, while Lancaster bombers were made by Avro at Chadderton, then assembled at Woodford in were also component factories in Hyde, Parrs Wood and of the aeroplanes used RAF Burtonwood near Warrington, which was the largest military airbase in the UK during World War Two. Frank Pleszak, 67, an aviation historian from Marple Bridge in Stockport, said: "The war effort around Greater Manchester was so significant and there is a huge legacy."Everybody thinks about Avro being the main local aviation company but Fairey's employed about 24,000 people in Greater Manchester during the war." The Fairey Aviation factory later began producing military bridges and the company is now owned by the European defence giant 450 people now work at the factory in Heaton Chapel, where they also have a contract to help produce Boxer armoured vehicles for the British Army.A concert to mark VJ Day, featuring the KNDS Fairey Aviation Brass Band, is taking place at the Romiley Forum Theatre in Stockport on Sunday 17 August. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 223
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Python looking for 'forever home' after rescue in West Sussex
A royal python is searching for its "forever home" after being rescued and cared for at a West Sussex care who is estimated to be eight years old, was taken in by The Sussex Reptile Rescue Centre in Bognor Regis after being found in a poor condition and not under proper the rescue centre said he has made a "remarkable recovery" and it is now searching for an experienced reptile keeper or a committed owner who can care for pythons are popular pets, due to their manageable size and typically docile nature, but they require specific environmental conditions to thrive. Benjamin Checkley, operations manager at The Sussex Reptile Rescue Centre, said: "He's a gentle soul and an excellent ambassador for his species."Royal pythons like Noodles are often misunderstood, but with the right home and responsible care, they make fascinating and rewarding companions."
