Maintaining 135-year-old Somerset graveyard ‘impossible’

27 October 2025

Eben Morrish-Croad and

Chris Lockyer,Somerset

BBC A grave headstone that has been laid flat, the headstone is in the shape of a cross and has been placed against the base of the grave. It is pictured on grass which is partially covered with autumn leaves. — Some of the memorials have been laid flat to prevent injury to visitors and staff

Parish councillors say they are in an “impossible” situation as they try to maintain a 135-year-old graveyard.

Porlock Parish Council said Hawkcombe Cemetery in west Somerset could cost up to £100,000 to repair after an inspection found 102 memorials were “unstable” and potentially hazardous.

In line with national safety guidance and legal obligations, the council said it had taken the difficult but necessary step of temporarily laying flat a number of unsafe headstones.

Jonathan Jones, clerk and responsible financial officer for the council, said: “We understand how distressing it can be to see a loved one’s memorial altered. These measures are temporary and taken with great care.”

“We’ve got to the point where some of the graves are really dangerous and could cause an accident. Our long-term plan includes restoring memorials in line with national guidance and with full sensitivity to families’ wishes,” he added.

The council said more than 100 memorials were identified as being “unstable” and potentially hazardous

Jonathan Jones is wearing a yellow coat and glasses. Behind him is Hawkcombe Cemetery, with many graves and a line of trees behind them. — The council said more than 100 memorials were identified as being “unstable” and potentially hazardous

The ownership of a grave plot in the area is the responsibility of the family estate for 75 years from the date of internment, until a legal transfer process takes place.

This period has expired for many of the plots in Hawkcombe Cemetery, meaning their maintenance has become the responsibility of Porlock Parish Council.

The council said the cost of making the cemetery safe was estimated to be £27,000, with additional repairs needed to benches, pathways, steps, and handrails.

It added it was “exploring funding options to support this work without passing the cost through the local precept”.

“We’re looking at grant funding, we’ve got to reserve funds to repair those going forward as other memorials become unsafe,” a spokesperson said.

The council is inviting people to come forward if they believe their family members’ graves may need maintenance.

Mr Jones said: “A lot of families aren’t aware that if they take on the transfer they are responsible for the maintenance of the memorials.”

“We’ve had lots of meetings about it and we’re trying to do it as sensitively as possible and we really do know that it’s a very emotional topic,” he added.

The council is expected to discuss the topic at a meeting on 12 November.

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