Hastings Council could help church out with clearing churchyard

During the weekend between Friday, 8th of May and Monday, 11th of May, I visited Church in The Wood. When I arrived, one of the first thing’s that I noticed was that all the bins were overflowing. There had been a note put on the bins which stated the following,”Volunteers who usually maintain our churchyard and empty the bins are unable to do so because of the Covid-19 crisis.”

The notice went onto say, “It would help us to keep the churchyard in reasonable condition if, after tending a grave, you took your waste material home with you.” “Please do not stack waste beside the bins as it gets scattered onto nearby graves OR throw it into the hedges where we later have to remove your littering!”

Finally the note stated, “The regulations that apply in this churchyard are posted on the back door of the Church...”

Sadly, the bins were overflowing and rubbish had been scattered across certain parts of the graveyard. I totally understand that it would be to dangerous for volunteers to empty the bins during this time, but why won’t our local council offer to help out? I understand that Church in the Wood has been serving it’s communities since around 1090.

I am very concerned that by the end of the lockdown process, Church in the Wood is going to look like a rubbish tip. I believe that this will be disrespectful to the individuals who have relatives on site, due to it not looking looked after. Times are tough, but surely bins could still be emptied. I understand that all the street bins are still being emptied, which will represent the same amount of danger to private bins within the church.

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