THE DEAD are not being shown enough respect in Dolgellau Cemetery, according to the mayor.

Delwyn Evans has called upon Gwynedd Council to show more care when they are maintaining the town’s cemetery and to take away any loose grass following mowing.

On numerous occasions, gravestones have been left plastered with grass cuttings, not affording those resting there due respect.

“People of Dolgellau are complaining that the cemetery is not a pleasant place to visit their loved ones because of the way Gwynedd Council cut the grass,” said Cllr Evans.

“The cemetery should be a place where relatives can peacefully visit their loved ones but what happens in Dolgellau is that Gwynedd Council cut the grass, but they do not collect it afterwards.

“When it rains or it becomes windy all this grass is blown over the graves and sticks to the stones.

“Some people pay privately to have the graves of their loved ones cared for, but the mess after Gwynedd Council have cut the grass can make this seem almost pointless.

“A graveyard should always be cared for.”

A Gwynedd Council spokesperson said: “Due to the reduction in the funding local authorities receive from the government to provide local services, councils have no option but to change the way some services are delivered.

“Following a public consultation held back in the autumn of 2015, a programme of substantial budget cuts was developed which included a reduction in the frequency it cuts grass.

“This change in frequency, which has been in place since April 2016, means that grass in cemeteries is now cut once a month. Whilst the cemetery grass is cut and not collected, council staff are aware of their responsibility to minimise any flow of grass cuttings onto memorial headstones.”

See this week’s Meirionnydd edition, in shops and online now