A bereaved son has spoken of his disgust and heartbreak after discovering what he described as the shameful condition of a Newport cemetery where his father is buried, saying the former train driver who laboured until his 80s merits far better treatment.
Clive Boon, a resident of Blackwood, made the journey to his father William Henry James Boon’s resting place at Christchurch Cemetery last Wednesday and said he was appalled at the state of the site. The grass surrounding the plot had grown to considerable height, with no evidence of recent mowing visible from the cemetery entrance and scant indication of any upkeep.
He told a local newspaper the area was in disarray and that he had been utterly shocked by what he encountered. His last visit had occurred between six and nine months previously, at which time both the grave and its surroundings had been well maintained.
Earth had been deposited in mounds on each side of the son’s father’s burial site. His father, who passed away in 2005, noted that the memorial stone now appears to be tilting, and that soil had been left piled beside the grave, alongside an unmarked headstone and metal sheeting covering one of the mounds. While uncertain whether any fresh burial has been dug in the vicinity, he expressed concern that nearby excavation work may have destabilised the ground.
He also voiced frustration at the absence of water outlets for filling containers or cleaning the headstone, noting the absence of any signage indicating tap locations or obvious facilities in the area. His father’s lifelong labour, he said, warranted proper reverence in death as well as during life.
Christchurch Cemetery, situated on the outskirts of Newport, was established in the 1800s and contains numerous military burials and community monuments. Boon felt the site failed to provide a dignified final resting place during his recent visit, and another visitor to his grandparents’ grave also reported being appalled at the conditions encountered.
The son’s investigation revealed that his father had driven trains for more than four to five decades before accepting a maintenance role at Wildings in the city, remaining in employment until his early eighties. Having contributed to society throughout his existence, the son felt obligated to advocate for improved conditions not only for his father but for all families with loved ones interred there.
Following his distressing discovery of the neglected state of the burial ground, Boon attempted to reach a local elected representative but received only an automated absence notification with no subsequent response to the alternative contact details provided.
He subsequently submitted an official grievance to Newport City Council through their online system and corresponded directly with the council’s chief executive, after which a cemetery employee telephoned to confirm the matter would be examined.
Guidance for cemetery administration indicates the council holds responsibility for maintaining grassed sections and guaranteeing burial grounds remain secure and accessible to visitors, though certain amenities including on-site lavatories have been removed from Christchurch. Local residents have previously highlighted concerns regarding excessive vegetation and memorial seating at the location.
Boon has indicated his reluctance to revisit until his complaint has been resolved, expressing hope that other families with relatives buried at Christchurch would come forward should they share his concerns.
His sole request, he explained, was for somewhere dignified where he might pay his respects without feeling he was entering an abandoned location. Those laid to rest there, he emphasised, deserve considerably more.
A representative for Newport City Council responded that the authority recognised visiting a loved one’s grave as a profoundly personal and emotional occasion, expressing regret that Mr Boon had been distressed by the condition of Christchurch cemetery during his recent visit.
The spokesperson confirmed that burials continue to occur within existing sections of the cemetery, describing this as entirely standard for an operational burial ground. No activities beyond burial excavations had been carried out in that particular area, and all cemetery personnel perform their duties according to nationally recognised standards, employing appropriate support and ground protection measures for every excavation to ensure burials proceed safely and with proper dignity.
The spokesperson noted that no visible evidence of ground subsidence exists in that area, attributing any appearance of ground movement to extended periods of exceptionally hot and dry conditions combined with proper application of ground support systems.
The memorial in question had been examined and while it does display some lean, it remains firmly positioned in its current location, suggesting the tilt has been present for some time. The spokesperson emphasised that memorials are privately owned by the families who erect them, placing responsibility for their continued maintenance, safety and preservation with those families.
Water outlets for visitors wishing to clean memorials or fill vases are positioned near both of the cemetery’s entrance gates, the spokesperson confirmed. The grounds maintenance team is scheduled to commence the third mowing cycle of the season at the cemetery early the following week, with additional work continuing across the grounds as part of the established maintenance programme.
The council remains dedicated to preserving Christchurch cemetery as a respectful and dignified memorial space for all visitors, the spokesperson stated, and welcomes direct discussion with families regarding any concerns they may have.