Madam,

We wish to comment on the letter published in last week’s Cambrian News, concerning the Aberystwyth Municipal Cemetery (‘Disgusted at state of cemetery').

It is a pity that your correspondent does not understand the management plan. The reasons for leaving just some areas of grass to grow tall and seed before a once a year mowing are clearly explained on a noticeboard along the main path.

The council has operated this revised mowing regime for the last six years.

This plan was produced by the Greener Aberystwyth Group and has been adopted by Ceredigion County Council. The plan is held by the county council, but a paper copy can be borrowed from the Greener Aberystwyth Group on request (enquiries to [email protected]).

This management plan carefully considers the history of the cemetery and needs of the local people, alongside the ecology of an important habitat.

If your correspondent had requested access to a particular grave a path would have been mown for him as has been done for other people.

The management policy is designed to combine such access with enhancement of biodiversity. There is evidence that the latter is occurring.

A moth survey completed in 2015 reflects the diversity of insect life now thriving in the cemetery. Some moths found are of significant scientific interest.

Though some may disagree, to many people the photograph (pictured) as printed with last week’s letter depicts a lovely, peaceful scene with the grasses gently waving and not a single piece of litter or other ‘dirt’ in sight. Some people may like the idea of a closely mown area (“lovely and clean”) but to others this represents an ecological dead spot to the benefit of neither man nor flora or fauna.

Yours etc,

The Committee, Greener Aberystwyth Group.