Sheep Causing Damage at Holywell Cemetery
Sheep have been trampling over graves and chewing flowers at Holywell Cemetery in Flintshire, causing distress among families with loved ones buried there.
Widower David Pearson, who lost his wife Paula to cancer, described the damage caused by the animals as "extremely upsetting."
"She deserves better than having her grave trampled on,"
he said.
Community Frustration Over Ongoing Issue
Town councillor Daniel Thomas stated that the problem has persisted for several years, with local residents expressing anger over what they perceive as inaction by Flintshire Council.
The local authority has issued an apology and announced plans to install a cattle-grid to prevent sheep from escaping their fields, emphasizing that this will be addressed "as a matter of urgency."
Sheep entering the cemetery has been a recurring issue for years.
Residents have also reported sightings of sheep on nearby roads, raising concerns about potential accidents.
"They're just trampling over all of the graves, destroying the flowers, eating the flowers and leaving a mess behind,"
David explained.
He and others have urged the council to take measures to prevent sheep from accessing the graveyard, but he lamented that "sadly there doesn't seem to be any movement."
"It's making me ill,"
David added.
"I'm upset and it's not fair on me or the family - and certainly not on Paula... it's extremely upsetting."
David highlighted that children and veterans are among those buried in the cemetery, emphasizing the importance of every individual resting there.
"Every person is important, but there just doesn't seem to be any kind of sympathy that is coming from the council in terms of acting upon this as an urgent matter."
Impact on Families
Lauren Jones, 27, whose mother Sarah died when Lauren was 18, has experienced similar issues. Sarah is buried in Holywell Cemetery, where sheep have occasionally damaged her grave.
"It's upsetting,"
Lauren said.
"I've turned up with my children before, and my children have been upset."
Lauren now cleans the area before bringing her children to the grave to prevent them from seeing any damage or mess. She also assists in cleaning other graves.
"Having to come here and see her grave being treated in such a way - it's disgusting,"
she added.
Local Council and Landowner Responses
Holywell councillor Daniel Thomas noted that the town council had offered to contribute funds for a gate to keep sheep confined to grazing land, but this proposal was rejected by Flintshire Council.
He remarked that people are becoming "really upset and angry about it now."
Ian Hodge, serving as both town and county councillor, explained that several farmers use land above the cemetery for grazing. Previous discussions among landowners, farmers, and councils had resulted in an attitude of "it's somebody else's problem."
However, he indicated that all parties are currently engaged in dialogue and expressed hope that they are "on the homeward straight to actually solving this."
A spokesperson for Grosvenor, one of the area's landowners, expressed sympathy with the community and pledged support for local authority efforts to manage the situation, including the introduction of a cattle-grid on the public highway.
"Grazing of sheep on the common is an established legal entitlement exercised by those people whose properties have historic rights of common, rather than something the landowner can direct,"
the spokesperson added.
Flintshire County Council's Planned Solution
Katie Wilby, representing Flintshire County Council, stated:
"Designs for a cattle-grid to prevent the sheep from wandering down from their nearby grazing land are now complete, and the council will be working with the livestock owner to install the grid as a matter of urgency.
We sincerely apologise to those affected, and thank everyone for their continued patience and understanding.
We hope this resolution will prevent any recurrence."
