The following teaser is from an article posted in the July 4, 2013 edition of thisisnottingham.co.uk:
Nuthall Parish, Nottinghamshite, UK: FAMILIES thought vandals had run amok in a cemetery when around 50 headstones were knocked over. Some were in tears when they saw the state of graves at Nuthall Cemetery in New Farm Lane.
But the “culprit” was Nuthall Parish Council. One shocked woman, who did not want to be named, was convinced vandals were to blame. Then she saw messages attached to each headstone explaining that the council had moved the headstones for health and safety reasons….
In 2000 a six-year-old boy from Harrogate was killed when a sandstone headstone fell over. And, in 2003, a nine-year-old boy collecting conkers in Burnley was crushed.
The incidents in the story took place 10 years ago. Why the sudden emergency to do something? Are the regulations new? Why couldn’t he talk to the other council members? Don’t they have telephones and emails there? You can even have conference calls where everyone can meet together remotely.
If they were willing to provide support stakes to those that ask, whey didn’t they just put the stakes in to begin with?
Hello Mary Beth
One of my son’s has Down Syndrome and he was elected unopposed to NPC last year.
Parish councils can be very good, in representing local people. Having said that, this one in my experience over more than 30 years living in the village, is self serving at times, and dominated by a political group. Incidentally the fellow with his arms crossed, is an active local politician with more than 20 years experience.
On this Parish Council there are 13 members. Some of them wear two hats. Three are paid Borough councillors one is a paid County councillor and the Chairman has an allowance. All other members are unpaid volunteers.
If you Google Nuthall Parish Council you can read their biography’s
The Clerk is a paid employee of Broxtowe Borough council, and advises the members.
NPC Chairman would not have been able to carry out what was supposed to be an emergency situation in isolation. 2009 and 2011 according to the Clerk, the headstones had been inspected. 2013 there must have been some very unusual movement which made “50 Headstones”, so dangerous the Chairman gave instructions to lay them down.
They were apparently such a danger to the general public and owners that without consultation with, relatives or full council the Chairman took the action he did.