IN response to Dave Stamp, head of parks and green spaces, regarding the standard of cemeteries.

Mr Stamp mentioned that two cemeteries managed by the council, Burtonwood and Fox Covert, have achieved the national Civic Trust Green Flag Award, which recognises high standards of management and maintenance.

I cannot speak for Fox Covert, but as for Burtonwood cemetery, the only reason that it achieved the Green Flag Award is purely due to the handful of volunteers from Burtonwood Village, who endlessly give up their time and effort to look after the general upkeep of the cemetery; cutting the grass (using their own lawnmower, which needs replacing), brushing and weeding the footpaths and attending to grounds maintenance, making safe dangerous plots and graves.

These wonderful volunteers also comfort and look after grieving relatives and ensure visitors are cared for and safe. They rely on voluntary funds given to them from kind well-wishers to pay for equipment, taking no salaries or expenses for themselves.

If the people of Burtonwood relied on the council to look after the cemetery then the grass would be two foot high by the time they came to cut it, as is Manchester Road's cemetery, hence the complaints.

So, it is not the council who should take praise for Burtonwood's Green Flag Award, but the Friends of Burtonwood Village, to which the people of Burtonwood are very much grateful.

JANE FLOYD Former resident of Burtonwood