East Lothian Courier | News | Paupers’ graves cause problems

Thursday, 8th January, 2009

Published: Thursday, 6th November, 2008 08:30

Paupers’ graves cause problems

A BID to tap in to £600,000 of community funds to replace a partially collapsed church boundary wall could be hampered by 200-year-old graves.

Paupers’ graves at Inveresk cemetery are so close to the badly damaged wall that it’s feared that work to replace the structure could disturb those laid to rest.

Alan Forsyth, East Lothian Council’s head of community housing and property management told a local authority meeting last week that further investigations would have to take place before funding was confirmed.

“Part of the problem is that the wall adjoins ground where they buried paupers in unmarked graves,” he said.

“We will have to carry out further negotiations with our planning colleagues and Historic Scotland in relation to that.”

He added that the wall had been temporarily supported for some time and the foundations were unstable.

Cash for the restoration would be provided through theMusselburgh Common fund, which has its budgets approved by East Lothian Council.

The fund’s committee is considering spending an estimated £600,000 in 2009/10 to repair the wall.

There are no records regarding the quantity of paupers’ graves at the cemetery.

The Rev Andrew Dick of St. Michael’s Church, Inveresk, said: “I believe the needs of the living, which are to have proper access to the cemetery and church, far outweigh the needs of the dead. It would be more respectful for those who are buried that the wall should be restored to a decent state. Respect for the dead demands that we do, in a way, keep the graveyard looking nice.”

Ward councillor John McNeil said: “I am led to believe that the wall is unstable and in a hell of a mess and needs to be fixed.”

Another potential problem, highlighted by Mr McNeil, was that ownership of the wall was unknown, which also could also delay funding.

A council spokesperson said: “A lot of effort is being dedicated to developing a construction plan that will resolve the issue and ensure respect for those who have been laid to rest in the area — regardless of whether they were paupers or are individuals in family-owned graves.

“We hope to construct a new wall on a boundary of the existing wall that will act as a permanent support. This will be subject to approval from Historic Scotland and will also require planning permission.”

The matter is set to be discussed at a council meeting later this month.

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