Family call on Salisbury Council to respect graves in London Road

Scott Thomson had to walk away from his nan's grave when visiting London Road Cemetery on Friday, October 6, after he found her headstone littered with grass and her surrounding fence broken.

In May 2022, the 31-year-old manager complained when his nan's grave was left in a similar mess and received an apology in which the grounds supervisor agreed the "expected standard was not reached".

But Mr Thomson has found both his nan's and sister-in-law's graves damaged throughout the past year and he is "sick to death" of complaining to the council about it.

It comes after the Environmental Services Team at Salisbury City Council allocated a 'grounds operative' for two days a week and claimed the site is looking "in excellent order" at an Environment and Climate Committee meeting on Monday, October 9.

Cut grass was spattered over the headstone and part of the wooden fence was broken. (Image: Salisbury Journal)

Seeing the graves treated with such disrespect left Mr Thomson feeling "angry and ashamed", he said: "It rips your heart out.

"My nan was like a mother to me, she meant so much and it was a big loss. It's hard enough to visit your deceased loved ones as it is but to see them in the state they are is devastating."

Mr Thomson and his wife Alex, 32, said they put a lot of time and effort into polishing the headstone twice a week but seeing the damage caused by grass cutters makes them not want to be there.

"I just want to dig her up and move her away from here," Mr Thomson added.

Kirsty Waters and Alex Thomson frequently visit their mothers' grave. (Image: Salisbury Journal)

City council clerk Annie Child apologised to Mr Thomson on behalf of the council in the letter sent on May 16, 2022, and said that staff were reminded of the quality of workmanship that is expected following a thorough investigation.

However, Mr Thomson feels as though lessons have not been learned.

The couple have looked into installing astroturf around the graves to protect them but Mr Thomson would rather the cutters "have a bit more care and respect".

Kirsty Waters, 24, came to visit her mother Sallie Ann Morris' grave and found flowers knocked over and wings broken off of an angel statue.

She said: "It's just so disrespectful, it's all we have left of them. It makes me feel sick."

Ornaments were knocked over and broken. (Image: Salisbury Journal)

Salisbury City Council has been contacted for comment.