Should sheep be allowed in a churchyard?

[Bushwhacker]

Went over Broadwindsor last night and decided to have a wander up the churchyard to have a look - lot of relatives buried there and where I got christened - I know times are hard and money is tight, but whose stupid bloody idea was it to let sheep keep the grass down? They've knocked over countless headstones, crapped everywhere and eaten all the flowers that aren't made of plastic. Can't believe what a mess it is. Does this go on elsewhere? They've been fenced in with electric fencing.

 

[British Red]

That's appallingly disrespectful - I hate grave violation - be it of recent graves, for "land re-use" or old graves for "archaeology". Grave sites should be inviolate - however old they are.

 

[spandit]

The Lord is my shepherd...

 

[JonathanD]

They did the same thing by me. Everybody went mad at the destruction and the sheep started disappearing. Great year for community BBQ's was 2009.

 

[Bushwhacker]

That's appallingly disrespectful - I hate grave violation - be it of recent graves, for "land re-use" or old graves for "archaeology". Grave sites should be inviolate - however old they are.

Quite. I was bloody mad, still am. A lot of the stones don't have family around to put 'em right again. I just can't believe it.

 

[boatman]

Any headstone likely to fall over may well be knocked over by the Council or whoever is in charge.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukn...adstones-deemed-a-health-and-safety-risk.html and in many other areas.

 

[JonathanD]

Yeah, that's true. Most of the old ones here have been knocked over by the council. They give them a good powerful shove with the foot. Not surprising most go over.

 

[boatman]

If it weren't for archaeology all we would know about our past would be myths and the more recent histories.

 

[Bushwhacker]

No, it's the sheep. Sheep are always rubbing up against stuff.
Not one flower on a grave either, all been eaten.

 

[Kerne]

I thought they grew Yews in churchyards to keep the sheep at bay?

 

[Bushwhacker]

I thought they grew Yews in churchyards to keep the sheep at bay?

There's a Yew tree there. They've ate all around it.

 

[JonathanD]

Put in an official complaint. I'm sure other folks will do the same.

 

[rik_uk3]

Do the sheep do all the damage? or is it a case of old Grave stones falling over? Purely my own personal view is why anyone, living or dead would want their dead flesh buried. Just burn it up when your dead and again, just my opinion.

 

[treadlightly]

Cut flowers die quickly, grass needs cutting, sheep dung does no harm....

 

[Bushwhacker]

Put in an official complaint. I'm sure other folks will do the same.

Last time I complained it was because they'd left it like a jungle, under the guise of a 'wildlife haven'!

 

[Bushwhacker]

Cut flowers die quickly, grass needs cutting, sheep dung does no harm....

Would it be acceptable to urinate on a war memorial then? I mean, it'll soon wash away.

 

[treadlightly]

I really wouldn't mind sheep grazing the graveyard where my parents, grandparents, great grandparents and other family are buried. Urinating on war memorials ( by people I guess) has nothing to do with it.

 

[Ivan...]

Hey Paul, as you know i live in a backwater too, and to be honest if i had a wander in my local graveyard and found sheep grazing, i too would have been flabbergasted! I personally don't have any respect for any religion, but i have always had respect for the departed.

I am sure you will sort it.

Ivan...

 

[boatman]

The Churchyard of our Wiltshire village was tidied up and the headstones placed all round the perimeter. Looked OK and nobody complained.

 

[Bushwhacker]

I really wouldn't mind sheep grazing the graveyard where my parents, grandparents, great grandparents and other family are buried. Urinating on war memorials ( by people I guess) has nothing to do with it.

Each to their own. I'm not having flowers ate and sheep mess on my folks' graves.
Some people have dogs in their house and sleeping on their bed. I think that's mental but others think it's normal.