A GRIEVING son was forced to cut the grass around his parents’ graves himself – saying the condition of the cemetery was a “disgrace”.

Barrie Redding went to visit his parents’ graves at Astwood Road Cemetery, Worcester, last week, taking his strimmer with him as he said the grass is “often not very well kept”.

While he accepts it can be difficult to maintain the entirety of the cemetery on a regular basis due to its size, he said on this occasion the condition was particularly bad.

“The grass looked as though it had not been cut this year,” said Mr Redding, who is in his 70s and lives outside the area. “The grave is against a pathway with no effort having been made to keep it tidy.

“Luckily, I had taken a strimmer with me so was able to cut the adjacent area.”

He said there was also dog mess on the grass around the graves and, while nearby war graves also looked untidy, showing a “total disrespect for deceased persons”.

Mr Redding always takes his strimmer with him due to similar problems, particularly a few years ago.

“At that time, it was intimated that the main areas that were regularly seen were serviced, but less attention was given to areas out of general public view.

“I do accept that it is a difficult area to maintain due to size and shape etcetera of graves and indeed many of the older ones are sadly now often forgotten.”

Mr Redding said he has contacted the city council about the situation but had not received a response.

Iain Askew-Calvert, the newly appointed bereavement services manager, said: “I’d like to apologise to Mr Redding and to offer him a face to face meeting at Astwood Cemetery, to discuss the issues which he has raised.”

Mr. Askew-Calvert added that he would promptly inspect the area himself, upon receipt of the grave numbers or section referred to by Mr Redding.

We reported last month the city council is looking to “make improvements” at Worcester Crematorium, part of Astwood Cemetery, after local man Mark Stone waited five-and-a-half weeks to cremate his father, while also describing the crematorium and cemetery as “disgusting”.

A council spokesman said: “We will be working with our staff to ensure high standards are maintained on the cleanliness of carpeted areas and the management of the lawns surrounding the chapel.”