Historic gravestones 'decimated' by fallen tree

Seven gravestones, some dating back to the early 1900s, have been damaged in Whitchurch Cemetery after a tree branch broke off in poor weather.

Dave Birch, whose great-grandfather is buried in the cemetery, said his gravestone was narrowly missed by the falling branch but was devastated for other families.

He added: "How this missed his grave I have no idea, both headstones either side of his have been annihilated. I'm devastated for the people whose relative's graves have been affected."

Whitchurch Town Council said it was identifying the families of the affected graves and awaiting quotes to repair them.

It added that in the New Year it would remove the remainder of the tree.

The headstones are in one of the oldest sections of the cemetery, with one of the damaged graves dating back to 1907.

Mr Birch said he thought the damaged stones were "irreplaceable" and "irreparable."

He added: "I just don't know how they can be repaired. They'll be nowhere near what they were. Some of this grand Victorian masonry, nobody can do that sort of work these days."

Whitchurch Town Council said where a repair proves impractical, it will seek an alternative method of correcting any damage caused.

Mr Birch said it was important to keep historical gravestones in good condition.

"Whitchurch being quite a historical town, I think it's the oldest market town in Shropshire, there's a lot of history and following to do with the cemetery, so for this to happen it's just beyond belief."

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