‘Upset and angry’ over cemetery claim
NEAABE100716a1, New showroom at B&Q Eastwood opened by eastwood Mayor brian Griffin, seen with manager Jon Wilson.
The Mayor of Eastwood said he is angry and upset over claims he does not do enough to improve the state of Eastwood Cemetery.
Brian Griffin hit back at a letter in last week’s Advertiser claiming he should ‘stop wearing his chain and get some action done’.
Cllr Griffin said over the years he has done ‘more work than anyone’ to get improvements made and has led several successful campaigns.
“There’s no-one who has campaigned more than me so it’s an insult really,” said the Mayor.
“In 2007 I had to bury my wife in the cemetery so I have a personal interest as well, not just as a councillor.
“I am equally as concerned and distressed as the correspondent but I do resent him saying I don’t do anything. It upsets me.”
Over the last six years Cllr Griffin has had a gate put up half way down the cemetery driveway to discourage youths racing up and down on quad bikes, had a bench being used as a place for youths to congregate removed, had a fence put up between the neighbouring estate and cemetery to stop people using it as a cut through, and has asked Broxtowe Borough Council – who maintain the site – to stop using weedkiller near to eroding headstones.
The Mayor has stood handing out surveys to get feedback, on the state of the cemetery, and has made repeated complaints about litter, dog mess, vandalism and security.
The author of last week’s letter, who wanted to remain anonymous, said he was ‘not surprised’ to find the cemetery in a ‘poor state’ on a Christmas Day,.
He said fallen leaves were like a ‘death trap’ and claimed Greasley Churchyard was in a better state because councillors there ‘took more pride in their parish’.
Cllr Griffin said: “It’s be a long running campaign but I can’t do it on my own. I need people to report their complaints to Broxtowe as well.”
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Eastwood
Saturday 25 May 2013
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 4 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 5 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: West
