A recent meeting of Tenby New Cemetery management sub-committee has earmarked a number of issues at the site that need addressing.

Speaking at Tuesday night’s meeting of Tenby Town Council, Clr. Mrs. Sam Skyrme-Blackhall told her colleagues that she felt that the site meeting had been very productive after talks with the contractor.

“There is quite a lot of work to do there, and because things have been left so long, it may cost a bit more, but its a very important part of the town, and moving forward, important that it is kept tidier than it has been previously,” she said.

“There is a lovely view up there which you can’t see anymore due to overgrowth of the bramble.”

During the site meeting, pointed out of great concern was the area connecting the old and new cemeteries - as the railway carriage previously used for storage was in a very dilapidated state and the area had considerable bramble growth.

It was suggested that the carriage and bramble be removed and the area reclaimed to lawn, and that the beech hedge separating the site from the main cemetery be cut back to no more than eight metres in height.

An arched walkway may also be created in the hedge to connect the two areas.

Councillors Trevor Hallett and Mrs. Tracey Evans who both joined Clr. Mrs. Skyrme-Blackhall on the site meeting, expressed concern over the amount of grave arising (spoil) being deposited in front of the old storage compound, feeling that it was encroaching on potential grave space by a considerable number of metres, and unless this was stopped now, the council could incur considerable expense to clear the area when the space is required.

Clr. Hallett also noted the number of memorial trees that had been planted in the cemetery over the years, and he was concerned that the roots could eventually cause problems when new graves were required in the vicinity of these trees.

It was also agreed to review the burial fees for the new cemetery, which had not increased since 2017.

Councillors agreed at their meeting that funds be earmarked from the town council’s reserves to undertake the work at the new cemetery.