A couple and their two children have tackled the overgrown border of Stanton Road Cemetery.
James and Lauren Amber and Lily-May (14) and Luke (12) have toiled in the heat to clear ivy and brambles from the burial ground where celebrated Ilkeston giant Samuel Taylor is laid to rest.
Pictures of their progress on Facebook have brought plaudits from followers.
Lauren told us: “My husband has just spent three hours clearing ivy, brambles and bushes uncovering six grave stones that couldn’t be seen. One of the stones has fallen over and needs lifting back up as well as many others that have been damaged due to the ivy and brambles running wild.
“James will finish removing the rest when the council has taken away what we’ve cleared. We understand that they are very busy but when we asked, they replied they couldn’t get the mower round so they haven’t bothered for many years. The wall at the bottom of our garden is now being affected, which is causing us some concern. We’re just hoping it won’t fall.”
The Ambers have appealed for others to come and help them and for donations of grass seed; also that “once we are on top of the overgrown areas they are maintained in the future by the council so they don’t get in such a state again.
“We still have lots to do and are doing it in our spare time as we both work. So far we have done around six hours. We have uncovered some beautiful headstones that I don’t think anybody even knew were there. It’s such a shame. The rest of the cemetery is well maintained apart from around the border behind the trees. Almost like out of sight out of mind. But we believe every single one of the headstones in the cemetery needs to be standing tall and proud, not covered in weed, ivy and brambles.”

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