Appeal to clean up Heysham war graves ahead of Remembrance Sunday

Allan Hartley is appealing to get the young Kings Own graves cleaned at Heysham Community Cemetery, St Peter’s Church.

“In the centenary of the First World War, lest we forget their names liveth for evermore, these lads who were sent home to die have not had much recent care,” said Mr Hartley. “It’s the least we can do, we cannot imagine the horrors that these lads went though.”

The graveyard, owned by Lancaster City Council, is also looked after by a team of volunteers at St Peter’s Church.

“The team work very hard to keep the graveyard maintained but there are only five of them, and they all do the best they can,” said Andrew Osborne, Rector at St Peter’s Church.

“I am sorry to hear Mr Hartley is upset, we are appealing for volunteers.”

A Lancaster City Council spokesman said: “In the week running up to Remembrance Sunday, the council’s Grounds Maintenance Team visits war graves to tidy them up.

“Although there are arrangements in place for graveyards such as St Peter’s (privately owned and closed), for the council to maintain trees, grass and perimeter walls, this does not include it being mown throughout the season.” St Peter’s is scheduled to be mown by the council’s maintenance team next week.