State of graveyard attacked by visitor

An overgrown Black Country graveyard has been dubbed a "forest" of nettles and weeds by an angry visitor who has relatives buried there.

Rod Phillips has attacked the state of the graveyard at St Andrew's, Church Road, Netherton, and says it is "disrespectful" to the families of people who are buried there.

Mr Phillips, aged 57, goes to the graveyard once a month to lay flowers and pay his respects to his relatives.

He said that some nettles at the back of the church were now above head height which prevented people from visiting graves.

Mr Phillips also said that graves were covered in weeds and moss, paths were blocked by overhanging trees, the grass had not been cut for weeks and irresponsible dog owners were allowing their pets to foul the area.

His complaint comes more than a year after parishioners at the church pleaded with Dudley Council to carry out more maintenance.

The council-owned graveyard is scheduled to be maintained every four to six weeks, although Mr Phillips, of Duncan Edwards Close, Dudley, said that he doubted whether this was the case.

"The state of the graveyard is an absolute disgrace," he said.

"It's just a forest of nettles and weeds and you would find it very difficult to even get to some of the graves.

"It's ridiculous at the back of the church.

"Some of the weeds are above head height in places.

"The area needs to be cleaned up, but it would take months to clear it properly.

"Whatever happened to the upkeep of this once beautiful churchyard which can be seen from afar?

"It's not respectful to the people who are buried there or to the relatives who visit their graves."

Chris Howes, spokesman for Dudley Council, said: "St Andrew's is a very large graveyard indeed which, due to the layout of the memorials, can only be strimmed by hand.

"We are fully aware that certain parts of the churchyard are overgrown and unaccessible and we have prioritised clearance of these areas during the forthcoming winter period."

By Jon Wood