Pensioner weeps at Yeadon cemetery damage (From Wharfedale Observer)

Pensioner weeps at Yeadon cemetery damage

7:08pm Wednesday 26th September 2007 in Local news By Annette McIntyre

Families visiting the graves of their loved ones in Yeadon Cemetery have been left distressed by damage to gravestones and surrounding memorial ornaments.

Now one woman is calling for an end to the careless damage which is upsetting relatives and which has left her in tears.

Millie Chaffer, 74, said it was not clear whether the damage was being caused by mowers or was the result of vandalism. But she appealed for more respect to be shown to those who have died and to their grieving families.

Mrs Chaffer, whose grandparents and other family members are buried at the cemetery, said she was disgusted to find that a solid stone vase at the grave had been smashed to bits.

"We go there and plants bulbs and so forth," she said. "The stone vase was of great sentimental value to me and to someone else. When I saw it smashed to bits I just burst into tears, I was so upset."

"We had actually sunk metal bars into the ground so it wouldn't get damaged but of course it did."

She said other graves had also been damaged, including one which had always been kept in good condition despite dating back to 1934.

"It had stayed intact even through the war, even the bombs didn't destroy it," she said. The nearby airport was a target for German bombers Mrs Chaffer said visitors to the graveyard believed some of the damage was being done by careless mowing but it was possible vandals were also playing a part.

"I have been told it was the mowers but it could be vandals, I don't know," she said.

"But one way or another it is very upsetting. There doesn't seem to be any respect."