A COUNCIL has apologised after angry residents expressed their disgust at the “shameful” state of several overgrown cemeteries.
Frustrated Brighton and Hove residents contacted The Argus about the “waist height” grass that is covering their loved ones' gravestones.
Derek and Glynis Allen, from Portslade, went to both Portslade Cemetery and Hove Cemetery last week to pay their respects to Glynis’s parents and grandparents.
Derek, 73, said: “I find it impossible to express the depth of total disgust at what we encountered.
“My wife’s grandmother’s grave is in Hove Cemetery and you can’t even get to her headstone because you can’t see what you’re walking on to get there.
“This council should be absolutely ashamed of itself. These two cemeteries contain the memorials to residents who lived, worked and died in this area.
“No doubt when challenged on this matter they will come out with the usual list of excuses - Covid, lack of funds, lack of staff and I wouldn’t be surprised to even see Brexit included but when it comes down to it they just don’t care.”
Glynis, 72, added: “We recently visited a cemetery in Southwick and it was well kept, so I don’t understand how some councils do respect their dead but Brighton and Hove don’t at all.
“It’s just so sad, I felt tearful when I saw it because I couldn’t get to either of my grandparents' graves.
“My grandmother, at one point was the oldest resident still living in Portslade, she would have cried. It’s just heartbreaking.”
Derek and Glynis are among many residents who have complained about the state of the city’s cemeteries.
Mike Bundock and his wife went to visit their son’s grave on Monday in Brighton City Cemetery.
Mike said: “I know it is bad in a lot of places but my wife and I were shocked to see the state Brighton City Cemetery is in right now.
“It has never been such a mess. The council doesn't seem to have any respect for those who have passed on.
“A lot of graves are surrounded by grass and weeds waist high. What on earth is going on?”
Keith Deane said: “It's a disgrace how Brighton and Hove council are looking after Portslade Cemetery - or not, as seen here.
“This is no way to treat our dead and the bereaved relatives.”
Janet Ratcliffe echoed his concern, saying: “What a shocking state it is in, grass waist high, can’t find the graves, it is shameful.
A council spokesman said: “We’d like to apologise for the current overgrown state of some areas of our cemeteries.
“This week we have started work cutting the grass in Portslade cemetery. As of tomorrow this work will be supplemented by extra contractors.
"So the situation there should soon improve.
“Like many public and private sector organisations we are currently finding it difficult to recruit staff for some vacant posts.
“Many of our seasonal staff used to come from European countries for the summer. The ability of European nationals to work in the UK after Brexit, alongside the pandemic, is continuing to have an impact on our recruitment.
“If you have experience of gardening and would like to know more about working for our Cityparks team please visit our jobs pages at www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/jobs”.
After contacting the council on Thursday, The Argus visited Portslade cemetery on Friday and saw workers cutting the grass.
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