Sheep trampling over graves and eating flowers at cemetery

Sheep have been trampling over graves and chewing up flowers at a cemetery, upsetting bereaved families with loved ones buried there.

Widower David Pearson, who lost his wife Paula to cancer, said the damage the animals were causing at Holywell Cemetery, Flintshire, was "extremely upsetting".

"She deserves better than having her grave trampled on," he said.

Town councillor Daniel Thomas said the problem had been going on for several years and local people were angry at what they said was inaction by Flintshire Council.

The local authority apologised and said arrangements were being made for a cattle-grid to stop the sheep escaping fields "as a matter of urgency".

Sheep getting into the cemetery has been an issue for several years.

The sheep have also been pictured on surrounding roads, raising fears of an accident, according to residents.

"They're just trampling over all of the graves, destroying the flowers, eating the flowers and leaving a mess behind," said David.

He said he and others had urged the council to do something to prevent the sheep accessing the graveyard, but "sadly there doesn't seem to be any movement".

"It's making me ill," said David.

"I'm upset and it's not fair on me or the family - and certainly not on Paula... it's extremely upsetting."

David said children and veterans are buried in the cemetery, adding: "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."

Lauren Jones was 18 when her mum, Sarah, died. She is buried in Holywell cemetery where sheep have damaged her grave on occasion.

"It's upsetting," said the 27-year-old.

"I've turned up with my children before, and my children have been upset."

She said she now cleans up before her children arrive so they do not see any damage or mess. She also helps clean up other graves.

"Having to come here and see her grave being treated in such a way - it's disgusting," she said.

Holywell councillor Daniel Thomas said the town council had offered to contribute to a gate to keep sheep on grazing land, but it had been "knocked back" by Flintshire Council.

He said people were getting "really upset and angry about it now".

Ian Hodge, a town and county councillor, said several farmers used land above the cemetery for grazing, but previous discussions between landowners, farmers and councils had resulted in "an air of 'it's somebody else's problem'".

However, he said all parties were now talking and "hopefully we are on the homeward straight to actually solving this".

A spokesperson for Grosvenor, one of the landowners of the area, said they sympathised with the community and would support the local authority with measures to manage the situation, such as introducing 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.

Katie Wilby, from Flintshire County Council, said: "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."