Penrith Cemetery today became the center of an at times emotive discussions between members of the community and Westmorland and Furness Council regarding the installation of what appeared to many when first installed steps but turned out to be a new grave management system.
The council's decision, made without public engagement or consultation, caused uproar among residents in April when work commenced.
The controversial project, which cost between £7,000 and £8,000, has led to the formation of a group opposed to the concrete flagstones, with a petition demanding their removal.
The meeting, held at Penrith Cemetery, included members of the community, Penrith Town Council, and Evolve Penrith, along with officers from Westmorland and Furness Council. The project, approved by the former Eden Council portfolio holder, took place as the new Westmorland and Furness Council replaced Eden Council in April, fueling frustration among community members over the lack of any communication or engagement about the plans and work. An issue the council officers confirmed was not what’s should have happened and apologised for the failure to engage before and during the initial works with the community.
One resident, referring to the flagstones as the "concrete stairs to heaven," voiced concerns over the lack of public consultation and the decision to use concrete instead of sandstone. The council justified the use of concrete, stating that it would provide stability for memorials and headstones as they expand into new areas of the cemetery. Additionally, the council claimed that over time, the flagstones would blend in with the surrounding grassed areas as they darken and become covered in moss and lichens.
In response to the meeting and at the suggestion of Evolve Penrith member attending the meeting, Westmorland and Furness Council agreed to pause any further work on installing additional rows of the concrete flagstones. A new group, Friends of Penrith Cemetery, was agreed to be formed during the meeting to facilitate engagement between the community and the council to find a resolution regarding the flagstone issue and other cemetery-related matters.
The subject of the concrete flagstones' color and the council's estimate that it would take around 10 to 11 years for them to blend naturally into the surroundings without intervention was also discussed. To address this concern, the council promised to explore options to tone down and better integrate the flagstones, with suggestions to be presented at a follow-up meeting in September.
During the meeting, it was revealed that as of April 1, 2023, Westmorland and Furness Council had harmonised fees and terms for all its cemeteries, reducing the provision period for new graves from 100 years to 50 years.
Members of the newly formed Friends of Penrith Cemetery group have started a Facebook group to garner support and will meet with Westmorland and Furness Council in September for further discussions. Founding members Paula Thompson and Sandra Stolker expressed their hope to foster a positive relationship between the council and the Friends of the cemetery.
Residents who wish to support the call to remove the concrete flagstones can sign the group's petition online at https://goto.penrith.town/keep-penrith-cemetery-beautiful-petition or visit Davidsons Garage in town to sign a paper copy.
Evolve Penrith also asked that Westmorland and Furness look at considering options for potentially devolving Penrith Cemetery to community ownership to enable the community to have a direct role in its future and management.
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