Mother still 'has no closure' after grave laid flat

The mother of a girl whose gravestone was laid flat for safety reasons said she still has "no closure" despite an apology from a council.

Nicola Allison found the headstone of her daughter, Paige Goodwin, who died aged three in 2000, had been moved when she went to visit on her daughter's birthday in April.

Blaby Parish Council in Leicestershire had published its intention to inspect the memorials in February, but the family said they were not told there were any issues with the site in Mill Lane, Blaby.

Despite the council offering its "sincere apologies for any distress or upset caused", Allison said she was still unhappy with the authority over the way it had dealt with the family.

Paige, who was born with special needs, was buried at the cemetery in 2000.

An issue raised with her burial plot by the council at the time meant she had to be disinterred and reburied.

Her gravestone was one of 35 that were laid down after failed inspections.

The council said staff who inspected the memorials were "competent and had the necessary skills and knowledge received from the training to carry out the inspections".

However, the authority said it had agreed that no further memorial inspections would be carried out by council workers "at this time".

Speaking after the apology, Allison said: "Whilst there's an apology we've got no closure.

"Paige's grave is still held down and there is nothing to say what the timescales are."

Paige's mother said she heard councillors arguing with each other at a recent council meeting regarding the issue.

"I got very upset and so did another guy whose son's headstone is now wobbly," she said.

Paige's younger brother, Ryan Goodwin, said the council's apology had "certainly taken some time where it didn't necessarily need to".

"Ultimately, the way they've gone about the work they've done has been a complete shambles," he said.

Vice chair of the parish council, Sue Jordan, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service it would be waiving fees for the 35 gravestones that had been laid down following failed inspections, subject to receipt of the correct paperwork.

The parish council added it "sincerely appreciates the patience shown by members of the public while these matters are being addressed".

Blaby Parish Council said in a public notice that it would be undertaking a review of its communications and procedures "to develop clearer and more effective communication strategies in the future".

The council has been approached for comment on the family's reaction to the new statement, including their views on the apology.

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