Cemetery questions must

be answered



In a poor state - Boston's cemetery chapel

Our late but irrepressible pseudonymous correspondent Herbert Ingram is one of the few people apparently less than happy after last week’s visit to Boston by an army of English Heritage delegates

After a day wandering the town and peering through their rose-tinted spectacles they declared it a “true gem.”

However, in an e-mail to Boston Eye, Herbert asks: “Why was it that the distinguished visitors were kept away from the Victorian cemetery? The cemetery grounds are listed Grade 2 as an historic park and garden, and the chapel, gatehouse and mortuary buildings all listed Grade 2.
“Would it be because of the 'minimum maintenance' management policy makes the place look derelict and unwanted … except by the birds and RSPB 'twitchers' - council officers amongst them. ?
“Why is it that English Heritage regional office at Northampton were not (they are now) aware that there has been a string of complaints and freedom of information requests to the borough council?
“Why in local 'press' coverage was there no mention of this site’s existence as one of Boston’s English Heritage sites, or that efforts are being made to have it added to the English Heritage 'At Risk Register’?
“Why does there seem to be a stone wall when it comes to local conservation and heritage groups and organisations?
“Why have the council continued to sell plots in the Victorian cemetery after changing the maintenance status from that of cemetery to that of 'wildlife reserve?'
“When will Boston council start to answer these questions and restore proper access to the Victorian park, garden and cemetery to the people of Boston - including disabled and their dogs ....? This is scandalous behaviour!”
“Boston changed the grounds management policy at the Victorian Cemetery some years ago using the Local Authorities Cemeteries Act 1977 saying that they had sought the advice of some 'local amateur wildlife conservationists' (no names forthcoming despite Freedom of Information Requests) and that the change was in 'the best interests of the cemetery.’
“Signs went up declaring this change and included banning dogs including guide dogs (unless accompanying mourners at a funeral ) which effectively discriminates against sections of the disabled community (breaking the Disability Discrimination Act). Every time this has been raised the answer was that English Heritage supported the change - not so - but just to be sure that this 'unofficial' addition to the RSPB’s local empire remains so, the public, interested local groups, English Heritage and anyone challenging the position are discouraged from visiting or asking awkward questions.
“Where was local democracy and the people’s right to know who in the council has a personal interest in all of this I wonder?”
Without knowing all the ins and outs of this issue, there is clearly a cause for concern if any borough heritage asset is being neglected, and we know that there has been considerable debate on this issue in the past.
Whilst English Heritage says it is concerned about the deteriorating condition of the Grade II listed cemetery buildings and the Grade II registered cemetery, it cannot put them on the Heritage at Risk Register as this is only for Grade I and II* assets.
So what next?
Boston has few enough heritage assets, and should be focusing on preserving everything that we have – or is it yet another case of finance dictating policy?

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