Babes in the Woods: Dad 'chuffed' as daughter's grave cleaned

Barrie Fellows had previously appealed for help to have the grave of Nicola and her best friend Karen Hadaway cleaned as he had been unable to do so himself.

After a vast outpouring of support on social media, Barrie said it was “absolutely amazing” that the job has now been done.

Barrie, 73, who now lives near Liverpool and so finds it hard to tend the grave in the city cemetery in Bear Road, Brighton, said: “It couldn’t have been done at a better time with the anniversary of the burial coming up.

“It means a lot and it means that it’s good to look at now and not horrible. It really got bad because I couldn’t get down to do it.

The grave before it was cleaned, left, and after (Image: The Argus | H J Newington Funeral Directors/ Tilleys Stonemasons)

“I’m well chuffed. I would love to thank everybody from the bottom of my heart, I don’t think they realise what it means to me.”

Barrie had previously taken to Facebook to ask for help with cleaning the grave and said he was “overwhelmed” by the positive responses.

After a funeral director and stonemason contacted him to volunteer their time, the grave was cleaned professionally on Wednesday.

It comes in time for the 36th anniversary of the two girls’ burial on February 4 1987, more than three months after the nine-year-olds were found murdered in Wild Park, Moulsecoomb.

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The Babes in the Wood murders sparked a lengthy murder inquiry. After initially escaping justice for 32 years after errors by police, forensic experts and prosecutors, Russell Bishop was finally convicted of the girls’ murders in 2018. He died while still behind bars in January 2022.

Harry Newington, a funeral director who helped with the grave cleaning, said: “As a community, it really is essential to come together to support one and another when something so tragic happens on our doorstep.

Nicola Fellows, left, and Karen Hadaway (Image: Newsquest)

“Although time has passed, it is still important to remember the two young girls who I know will be in all our thoughts.”

Mr Newington also thanks Tilleys Stonemasons, who helped to cleaned the grave for free.