Fury as delay of equipment delivery leaves Doncaster cemetery overgrown

Long grass and weeds around headstones in a Doncaster burial ground has left local residents outraged.

Multiple residents from Armthorpe, Doncaster, contacted the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) with concerns that the local cemetery, off of Rands Lane, wasn’t being maintained, having become “overgrown”.

Kathy Bouse, aged 54, whose mum and nephew are buried at the cemetery, said: “It was absolutely disgraceful. The grass was so long it’s unreal.”

Ms Bouse informed the LDRS she contacted Armthorpe Parish Council about the condition of the cemetery nearly two months ago.

She said: “[Staff] said it would be a couple of weeks, six weeks ago. I went the other day and I was absolutely furious. The grass was even longer than it was before.”

Nieces Sophie and Ebony Bouse agreed, adding that they “shouldn’t have to see where their beloved brother is laid to rest” surrounded in long grass.

Other local people said they and relatives had been left in tears, with flowers left on family graves were nearly completely obscured by grass and weeds.

A spokesperson for Armthorpe Parish Council said the maintenance of the burial ground was being brought “in-house,” but new equipment ordered to look after the site arrived later than expected.

The statement from the Council said: “Armthorpe Parish Council’s contract with the previous grounds maintenance contractor came to an end in April 2026.

“Although the contractor agreed to continue attending the site on a temporary basis while the council purchased its own equipment and recruited an estates maintenance officer, they were unable to attend as planned due to personal reasons and only managed to visit the site once during May.

“This contributed to the period of reduced maintenance earlier in the spring. The circumstances have been explained directly to residents who contacted the council.

“The equipment was delivered on Friday, May 15, and since then our newly appointed estates maintenance officer has been working on site, addressing the areas of overgrown grass and bringing the cemetery back to the expected standard.

“He has continued to work across both the burial and cremation areas and will maintain the site regularly going forward.

“We fully appreciate how important the appearance of the cemetery is to families visiting their loved ones’ graves, and we remain committed to maintaining the grounds respectfully and consistently. We are grateful to residents for their patience during this transition period.”