Clean-up 'needed' at unsightly gravestones in Wigan town

The fenced-off markers, which are situated on land at the side of Bridge Street in Hindley, have increasingly deteriorated over the last few years and have become "unsightly and overgrown".

Now local councillors Paul Blay and Coun Jim Talbot along with volunteers from Rayner Park Friends Group, want to transform the area so it can once again be appreciated by locals.

Work will see them remove self-seeding trees within the fenced area, trim away unsightly brambles in front of the fence, as well as sympathetically cleaning the area around the tombstones.

They said: “We are intending to bring this area back to a respectful and appropriate standard. We have recently met with council officers who have agreed to remove the self seeding trees within the fenced area.

“They will also trim away the unsightly brambles in front of the fence and between Bridge St leaving the gravestones visible once again from the road. We intend to paint the fence and sympathetically clean the area around the gravestones within the fenced area.

“Dave Hanbury and the volunteers from Rayner Park Friends Group have agreed to assist with the project.”

Councillors and residents are also hoping to install an information plaque for the area on its history.

They said: “We are also hoping to gather some information from former councillor Jack Topping who has done a lot research of the area. We then hopefully can provide an information plaque for the area.”

They added: “We’d like to thank Barbara Lyon who single handily has done her best to keep this area off Bridge Street clean for the last few years.”

Councillors are currently embarking o n a big clean-up of Hindley, which last month saw them pick up a number of bulky items on land between Castle Hill Road, Close Street and Hereford Road.

Among the mess they spotted was a car seat, push chair, scooter, thermal box, pipe and a broken skateboard. They also collected 14 bags of rubbish.

To report a litter or fly-tipping issue, visit Wigan Council’s website.

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