A conference is taking place to discuss what is described as a crisis in the maintenance of graveyards.
A conference is taking place to discuss what is described as a crisis in the maintenance of graveyards.
English Heritage says Britain has the world's best graveyard heritage, but that gravestones are deteriorating through weathering and vandalism.
English Heritage says Britain has the world's best graveyard heritage, but that gravestones are deteriorating through weathering and vandalism.
The meeting in Oxford will discuss how the neglect of the sites also means a decay of their social history.
The meeting in Oxford will discuss how the neglect of the sites also means a decay of their social history.
English Heritage hopes renewed public interest in genealogy will improve conservation efforts in cemeteries.
English Heritage hopes renewed public interest in genealogy will improve conservation efforts in cemeteries.
BBC Religious Affairs Correspondent Robert Piggott says collections of stone monuments and gravestones have been built up over the centuries, often bearing colourful inscriptions.
Britain has thousands of parish churches with graveyards dating back to Medieval times, which English Heritage says are repositories of a rich social history.
But many have succumbed to weathering and the onset of undergrowth, and some gravestones have been removed by local authorities concerned for public safety, our correspondent added.
BBC religious affairs correspondent Robert Piggott says so many people have been buried and slowly decayed in churchyards that they are often conspicuously higher than surrounding ground.
He said collections of stone monuments and gravestones have been built up over the centuries, often bearing colourful inscriptions.
But they are slowly succumbing to weathering and the onset of undergrowth, and many gravestones have been removed by local authorities concerned for public safety, our correspondent added.
Are you concerned at the maintenance of graveyards in your area? Are you affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
Are you concerned at the maintenance of graveyards in your area? Are you affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
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