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Bramshott cemetery - Old resident (2nd Jul 2024  14:52:33) Just been up to the cemetery very shocked to see it . Don’t think I’ve ever seen it so bad the grass is waist high. Can anyone tell me why this is , it’s such a lovely place but to let it get into this state is terrible.

Re: Bramshott cemetery - Dave B (2nd Jul 2024  15:11:37) Local authority have cut back (sorry, no pun intended) on grass cutting. They say is is for environmental reasons (BS) but its actually about cost cutting as they are broke.

Re: Bramshott cemetery - Old resident (2nd Jul 2024  16:12:24) Thought the cemetery came under the church authority, so is it down to EHDC the upkeep of Bramshott church yard.

Re: Bramshott cemetery - old git (2nd Jul 2024  17:00:36) THe 1 place that should be kept perfect out of respect and it is in rack and ruin utterly disgusting

Re: Bramshott cemetery - Bramshott & Liphook PCC (2nd Jul 2024  17:06:45) Thank you for your comment. If you walk around the churchyard, you will notice that the grass has been cut on all walkways. The areas that haven't been cut are grave plots, and are the responsibility of the family. We are sure you understand that, at this time of year the grass grows very quickly! - this shouldn't stop you from walking around the churchyard, and enjoying the birdsong and any wildlife that may be benefitting from this environment.

Re: Bramshott cemetery - Sam (2nd Jul 2024  17:31:26) Country is broke, County is broke, Parish is broke, village is broke & Prices are through the roof... either pay more taxes or reallocate the money from something else only then to complain that thing isn't being done. Welcome to the UK

Re: Bramshott cemetery - Old resident (2nd Jul 2024  18:36:43) Sorry ppc but it’s a mess you can’t even find any graves . It used to be keep reasonable so you COULD tend your graves but it’s so bad it’s impossible for relatives to do that especially if they are old. It used to be strimmed to a reasonable level so that relatives could keep their graves tidy but it’s impossible know. What’s the church doing they charge enough to be buried there perhaps they could chip in .

Re: Bramshott cemetery - Grape (2nd Jul 2024  19:27:41) @Old Git Seems we can afford to pay for Equality & Inclusivity commissars, write up ever increasing more woke guidelines [including how wildlife if more valuable than human life]. We can't find the money to honour the memories of loved ones alive or dead.

Re: Bramshott cemetery - Sam (2nd Jul 2024  21:48:05) How many commentators have seen this location recently versus how many are simply accepting what has been described as fact and are responding to that post? I ran through it this evening and it looks beautiful, some long grass and some nicely cut avenues through it, I wouldn’t describe it at all as terrible. You know in many other countries the family of the deceased pay the upkeep bills, and if there not paid your relatives bones are scooped out and binned, I think this post like many others is a storm in a tea cup

Re: Bramshott cemetery - Carrie (3rd Jul 2024  06:43:43) With reference to the comments made by Bramshott and Liphook PCC, the rules must have changed since my father was buried just over 20 years ago. At that time there were very strict rules applied as to the type and style of headstone, no surrounds to the plot allowed and nothing to be placed there on. The reason given for these restrictions was to display some sort of unity to the lines of headstones and to make it easy for the graves to be maintained with the authorities mowers. It did happen that the graves were mown for several years. When did the rules changed? I too feel it is a disgrace that the graveyard has been allowed to fall into such a bad state. Local residents who have served their community, and many will have served their country too, should be treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.

Re: Bramshott cemetery - D (3rd Jul 2024  07:50:05) Sam, I would say that to run through a graveyard (presumably you're out jogging) is in itself disrespectful. Im sure when recently bereaved relatives are tending to a love ones grave the last thing they want to see is a sweaty Jimmy Saville running half naked past them. Yes I do have relatives there.

Re: Bramshott cemetery - Bramshott & Liphook PCC (3rd Jul 2024  12:59:46) Without wishing to contribute to any negative comments, please do visit the churchyard before commenting. As I mentioned earlier, the pathways are easily accessible. We have a gardener who looks after the churchyard with care. In answer to the question of the maintenance of graves - the plots have always been the responsibility of the families. Before Covid hit, we had a group of people provided by the council, under the community payback scheme, who came and did strimming of the long grass. This unfortunately stopped during Covid, and has not been started since. The gardener is unable to drive the mower between graves - I'm sure you understand this, and will strim when time and funding permits. In response to the comment about burial costs - these are set by the Diocese, you may wish to consider the fact that they are by no means the largest of the many funeral expenses. In the meantime, please appreciate the beautiful churchyard for what it is.

Re: Bramshott cemetery - anon (3rd Jul 2024  13:22:56) i never usually get involved with the toxicity of this forum, but as a regular walker round the cemetery i couldn't agree more with the above. bar a couple of overgrown thorns and nettles on the far left side (with a couple of benches), it's always in very good condition to walk around and isn't fair to complain at the council if it is the responsibility of the families to maintain individual grave plots.

Re: Bramshott cemetery - Old resident (3rd Jul 2024  13:29:38) Thank you ppc you are correct the pathways are ok mowed nicely. As you have confirmed the graves have not been striimmed that’s the problem it’s beyond the relatives to tackle the waist high grass . The pandemic has been over for some time regarding such jobs as tidying the church yard very disappointed that it’s in such a state having six generations here and a great uncle on the cenotaph First World War never been like it .

Re: Bramshott cemetery - Sam (3rd Jul 2024  21:39:03) D, Clearly I didn’t run over the graves for god sake ! I understand the respect required at such a site but I’ll take the blame for my own choice of words… I jogged up the footpath from London Road then on reaching the cemetery I walked and remained on the paths exiting onto the road before running again. Since you have relatives there maybe you can go tidy the place up or throw some money into its upkeep rather than other people’s tax money to do so ? Loads of people on this post already disagree with the original posters view of the condition. It’s fine, move on, stop getting offended just because your loved one is there, nobody is being disrespectful to you or it. The country is broke, we can’t afford to scatter rose petals over the dead

Re: Bramshott cemetery - Old resident (3rd Jul 2024  22:06:32) Sam you have had a lot to say but must correct you there is only you and anon and the council that have a different view and the council admits they use to strim it before so the relatives could actually maintain their graves. So don’t exaggerate as you do so often on many threads.

Re: Bramshott cemetery - pete (4th Jul 2024  07:43:07) Not at all Old resident, I am another that thinks it looks lovely.

Re: Bramshott cemetery - D (4th Jul 2024  07:59:50) I do, Sam, every week. I've often wondered who that irritating loony is going through the graveyard like he's just lost his trousers and starts running as if he's just remembered he's got a bus to catch. Stop for a chat next time.

Re: Bramshott cemetery - Old resident (4th Jul 2024  10:21:45) Ok Pete but you weren’t on the thread at the time so Sam’s sweeping statement was a bit over the top. Everyone has the right to their views so no problem but I do find it a bit strange to go into a church yard to look for a grave and find a hay field. It used to be so well looked after not saying people should not look after their graves but when you have a job finding them because of waist high grass it’s a problem. Only my opinion perhaps it’s the modern way .

Re: Bramshott cemetery - Bramshott & Liphook PCC (4th Jul 2024  15:02:52) I think our title is a bit misleading. The PCC in this case stands for Parochial Church Council, not the local council. I am writing on behalf of St.Mary's Church. We pay for the upkeep of the churchyard ourselves - even though we allow access to everyone. Like all charities, we are no different in as much as our budget is extremely tight at the moment. The gardener does as much as he can with the hours he gets paid for. We would welcome any volunteers (or helpful ideas to stop the grass growing at 100 miles an hour!!) I also believe the churchyard looks beautiful at the moment, and I think it's wonderful that people visit it - whether walking, or jogging (you go Sam!)

Re: Bramshott cemetery - Old resident (4th Jul 2024  17:01:46) Thank you pcc that clears that up could have mentioned it sooner but never mind. If you like it as it is fair enough it’s your choice you look after it just wonder if Bramshott Gardens could help with the work or perhaps donate from their open days . Anyway best of luck with carrying on the good work.

Re: Bramshott cemetery - Slightly Less Old Resident (5th Jul 2024  00:06:36) Having visited the churchyard yesterday afternoon, I am in agreement with Sam, anon, Pete and the PCC. I think it looks lovely. . There are many wide mown pathways and benches positioned beneath the trees. Many of the the graves have long grasses and wild flowers growing amongst and between them. The grasses were gently swaying in the breeze and, to me, looked lovely, like a meadow. I'm a lover of the countryside and its gentle, natural beauty. For me, it was only the plastic flowers, the partially deflated balloons and other such paraphernalia on some of the graves that detracted from the beauty and peace of the place.

Re: Bramshott cemetery - D (5th Jul 2024  07:44:41) I don't agree, Bramshott and Liphook PCC. Graveyards are sacred places and should not be encouraged as places of recreation. It's bad enough that some churches are being used for entertainment venues. Given the cost of a church burial, weddings and christenings, I'm surprised you don't employ a full time groundsman.

Re: Bramshott cemetery - Pete (5th Jul 2024  08:52:11) D- A public footpath runs right through the churchyard, would seem a bit churlish to stop someone jogging on a public footpath, does my regularly walking it for pleasure count as a recreational activity.

Re: Bramshott cemetery - Bramshott & Liphook PCC (5th Jul 2024  11:02:36) D - we do - I just chose to use the term gardener. You don’t get roses to look like that by just looking at them.

Re: Bramshott cemetery - Old resident (5th Jul 2024  11:39:54) Pete the foot path runs along the top side and out to the road we used to use it to go to Bramshott school nothing wrong with that. As the op I was concerned that people could not find their graves because the grass was waist high. I had to wade through and step on other peoples graves to find my Family’s grave and I was only up there at Christmas and it was fine then . Just thought of older frail people visiting the loved ones but it seems the new trend these days. If you want to be buried in a woodland area headley down is beautiful have relatives there.

Re: Bramshott cemetery - D (5th Jul 2024  12:43:40) P.C.C., like all charities, I appreciate you have a huge wages bill to pay, just like all businesses have to charitable status or not. Would it not be more cost effective to contract the work out? The maintenance of the church could be done on this basis as well, parts of the inside haven't seen a hoover for decades. Just a suggestion.

Re: Bramshott cemetery - Joe (5th Jul 2024  15:16:00) D I think a lot of the work maintaining the church and grounds are undertaken by volunteers to keep down costs. They are not a commercial business and I imagine most of their income is taken up with electricity and heating bills not salaries for staff.

Re: Bramshott cemetery - Resident (8th Aug 2024  10:04:29) I see the cemetery is being cut looks much better you can see the stones now much easier to find yours .

Re: Bramshott cemetery - Zoe (9th Aug 2024  07:59:16) I have relatives at this graveyard. If I could afford to buy a cordless strimmer and extra batteries . I would be happy to go and strim the graves. Sadly I do not have the funds to be able to do this. I only own a corded strimmer at present. Maybe if people would donate a few cordless strimmers we could get a group of us to go and strim the churchyard once a month. Just a thought. Not causing problems.

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