Baby graves at a cemetery in March have been sprayed with what looks like a harsh chemical that has killed of the grass and destroyed toys leaving parents devastated at what they say looks a heartbreaking mess.
The news has prompted a call from councillor Jan French to set up a Friends of Eastwood cemetery group so that they can apply for funding and support to make sure the area is preserved as a respectful place where families can go knowing their graves are safe.
In the latest incident around 20 baby graves have been affected.
Mum Amy Reape, 23, whose baby Rei died stillborn at 33 weeks in February, said: “It is unclear if it is vandalism or workmen who have sprayed and killed the grass off, but our point is this; if there was CCTV in place we would know instantly what has happened and get to the bottom of the problem.
“Nobody else’s graves seem to have been affected, just the babies, to see their final place of rest destroyed is beyond words.”
Friend Bobbi Denman added: “There have been other upsetting vandalism incidents down there and toys stolen. A petition was set up to get CCTV down there, this latest thing shows something needs to be done.”
Mum Emma Saunders said: “Its awful my seven year old son was with me, he didn’t go down much as he’s finding it really hard bless him, and he stood there and said, mummy what have they done to my sister I don’t want to come here anymore.”
Cllr French said: “It is time for a Friends of the Eastwood Cemetery group. The place looks awful. We know of horrible vandalism attacks down here, no family should be put through that, it is getting out of order.
“If we set up a friends group we would have the power and some clout to do things, we can get the group properly constituted and take action for what we want to happen down there.
Cllr French is waiting to hear from Fenland whether it is a workman spraying weed killer that got out of hand or if it is an act of vandalism.
Bobbi added that Fenland was the most expensive council in the area for still born baby graves and she added those costs be brought in line with neighbouring authorities.
Paperwork sent to them shows Fenland is £390 for a stillborn grave, Peterborough is £284, Spalding is £202. In Ely and Huntingdon stillborn graves are free.
• If you would like to join the Friends of Eastwood Cemetery group contact Cllr Jan French via Facebook.
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