Tabernacl Chapel: 'Acted with best of intentions'

Tabernacl near Carmarthen said it was tidying up the graveyard and only removing old headstones, which were in a dangerous condition.

But people living near the chapel said that contrary to the chapel's intentions, many of the headstones were less than 100 years' old.

Neighbours living next to the graveyard claim that one headstone belonged to a grave from 1964.

I just hope that relatives who have got loved ones buried here realise what they are doing. It is unspeakable

Gareth Davies, resident

The chapel had put up a notice in Welsh only, saying only headstones which were more than 100-years-old would be moved against the graveyard wall.

But the residents claim a home video they shot of the graveyard during the work proves their concerns.

The video shows one headstone marked 1927 being removed.

They said the lack of care taken makes it look like an act of vandalism.

Derek Carnegie, of Tabernacl Street, was one of the witnesses to the clear-up.

"I have seen quite a few dated from the 1920s, 30s and 40s, but the most recent was from 1964," he said.

'Unspeakable'

"It could have been my brother, my sister - it could have been my mother. Some of the stones are very recent indeed."

Fellow resident Gareth Davies said: "I just hope that relatives who have got loved ones buried here realise what they are doing. It is unspeakable."

Tabernacl officials said that no intact headstones had been destroyed and added that it had been acting to make the graveyard safe.

The chapel intends to build a garden with the material.

Neighbours say the lack of care taken makes it look like an act of vandalism.

Tabernacl's solicitor said efforts had been made to trace relatives of those buried, and the chapel had acted with the best of intentions.