GRIEVING families in Studley have hit out at the parish council after their loved ones’ headstones were toppled over, as part of ongoing safety works at the village cemetery.
A number of graves have been taped off or the headstone knocked over at Studley Cemetery as part of a recent ‘topple test’.
The council said the tests were to be carried out over concerns that some of the headstones were unsafe and apologised to families over the way it had been conducted.
Several residents have come forward to share their shock and anger.
Janet Chapling, whose parents’ graves are among those toppled and her husband’s ashes disturbed, said it had left many villagers upset.
“It is disgraceful – it is nothing but vandalism.”
Some of the residents were concerned over the way the topple tests had been carried out, saying they were ‘very aggressive’.
The first part of the test is a visual inspection to identify the type of memorial and its condition.
The second part is a moderate hand test. If, at this point, the memorial moves to the slightest degree, the inspection stops and the memorial is classified as having failed.
If the memorial passes the hand test, it is then tested with a piece of equipment known as a ‘Topple Tester’.
Brian Dixon, former parish councillor said the way the council had gone about this showed a lack of respect.
He told the Standard: “Some of these people don’t have anyone to look after their graves – they are husband and wives who are resting together or have family who live abroad.
“That is why all of the village is coming together to get this sorted.
“We are a close community and we can’t understand why the graves have been damaged in such a way.
“Everyone is rightfully upset.”
In a statement, Studley Parish Council said: “We recognise this has caused upset and distress and we are truly sorry.
“Earlier this month, an independent qualified stonemason was employed by the council to carry out a topple test inspection of memorials in the cemetery.
“Some of the headstones were identified as a potential safety risk and, as a result, they were carefully laid flat to prevent accidents.
“We now realise the inspection notices issued ahead of the works did not contain enough detail about what happens when a memorial fails a topple test.”
They said they were also in ‘shock’ at the amount of memorials that were affected.
“Previous checks had only ever been carried out by councillors – this was the first time a professionally registered testing stonemason had been appointed to conduct the work, in line with improved safety standards and training.
“Please be assured the council has always strived to care for and improve Studley Cemetery.
They added the council was now employing a stonemason to return to the cemetery and reinstate those memorials which were laid down.
A meeting will also be held at the village hall at 6.30pm this evening (Friday, September 26) for all families affected.
