Destruction of headstones

[SS from The Rhondda]

Villagers are furious over wilful destruction of 200yr old headstones.

http://www.tonyrefail.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3292

JCB pulled the stones over & then drove over them in a deliberate attempt to destroy them.

[Greensleeves]

I do hope someone has alerted the media to this.  It is wanton destruction and the club should not be allowed to get away with it.  If no-one has been in touch with BBC Wales, I suggest they do so forthwith.

[behindthefrogs]

The people responsible should be made to replace the stones at their own expense. 

[Ray T]

People may indeed be shocked by this report but I think you'll find that gravestones have to be broken up, by law, before being removed from a graveyard. 

[Vicky]

Its in the paper, and it looks like that not 50 years has past, they had no permission and wanted them off to sell the land, this workingmens club should be made to pay for the replace like for like.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/pontypridd-llantrisant/2011/08/11/smashed-91466-29207675/

[JenB]

I think you'll find that gravestones have to be broken up, by law, before being removed from a graveyard. 

Please can you give more details of the law you refer to?

[Vicky]

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1981/18/pdfs/ukpga_19810018_en.pdf

[Greensleeves]

To say the law insists on the breaking up of these tombstones gives a false impression of the truth, if you read the Act properly.  The Act makes considerable provision for notification of communities and relatives of the intention to remove headstones, to allow for them to be re-erected elsewhere.  It does not state that they must be destroyed - it states that if no-one makes any representations or objections after the issue of the legal notices can they be destroyed.  It would appear that the necessary Notices were not posted in this case, so clearly the actions of the club contravene the Act.  There are also a considerable number of other provisions in the Act relating to graveyards which still contain human remains; it might be helpful for the club to ask its lawyer to read through these, if they are not to be found guilty of any further desecration.

[Ray T]

I am not condoning what has happened but simply wanted to point out that there could be cogent legal reasons for breaking up gravestones as Vicky has now identified.

The appropriate response should be to enquire, of the relevant authorities, whether the appropriate legislation has been adhered to. BBC Wales or other branch of "the media" do not, so far as I am aware have any authority in this respect.