North Lanarkshire Council Graves moved.

[Billy Anderson]

Hi all,
I have just read an article on the Glasgow Evening times on line.
www.eveningtimes.co.uk
that states North Lanarkshire Council has just approved the removal of 350 bodies from Old Wellwynd Church Airdrie of which has been a disused burial ground since 1995.
Bet the grass is gie long noo!
The bodies are being moved to New Monklands Cemetery and the burials from Old Wellwynd Church date from 1846 to 1927.
The council are going to develope  the land into a 3.5 million pound Drop in and Cafe centre.
Wonder what they will call the place!
I hope the burials are recorded and catalogued.
Just wondering other peoples thoughts on this.
In shock!,
Billy.
   

[Glamis]

Hello, I'm new to this and am somewhat worried about this sort of thing being done in our modern times. These folk and thier families laid them to rest in peace for eternity in good faith that thier mortal remains would lie undisturbed for all time. I rather feel that is how they should be left. Otherwise, is nothing sacred or respected anymore?

[RJ_Paton]

This has been discussed at some length a few months ago

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,358605.0.html

The area concerned is said to be currently used as a car park

[Billy Anderson]

Hi Falkyrn,
thanks for your reply, it is my first posting on this page,I will check out the thread.

Glamis,
I totally agree with your posting,
regards, Billy.

[Glamis]

Thank you Billy. Attitudes have changed over time and the use of land for other needs comes into play. However, I still say that what our ancestors believed in is evident in the investment they made into burying thier dead. That was thier belief and attitude towards it. I think we must honour that. Change our use of land and burial methods but let these souls continue to rest in peace undisturbed.

[Summerhill]

I am totally ahocked and dismayed to see such athing happeningand unfortunately it seemsto be getting more and more common place.
The same thinghappened to ballykillane churchyard recently.  They made a car park out of it and the headstones are all arranged around the walls.
Seems nothing is sacred these days.

[Glamis]

Dear All,
I can see the only way to make a stand is to shout objections verbally and on paper by way of petitions. Otherwise they'll just go ahead and do it. Lodge the objections in the right places like the Church and the Government and then filter them down to village level. Don't let them draw you in to ethical discussion on mortal remains and eternal rest. That has been done. It is time to say a firm 'No'.
Land is a premium now and this sort of land is 'cheap' in that its use has never been changed since ... and the body that changes use of land is The Council!!!
Stand and be counted or let it happen. If these were my ancestors I'd be very unhappy. Does anyone know of any descendants of those laid to rest on this site? They would carry weight with a vote.Just an idea.

[mcghee67]

Hi Billy,

I live in Airdrie, Scotland, if you go to Lanarkshire rootsweb there a hundreds of messages regarding the moving of the bodies I think it is a disgrace there are plenty of other sites in Airdrie that they could put a drop in cafe in

Jane

[Billy Anderson]

Hi Jane, thanks for the info.
I hope it becomes a 'Haunted Cafe' and it is a cold and unfriendly place that closes after 3 months.
It would serve them right!