Mum's Anguish as Church Removes Memorials from Baby's Grave

A heartbroken mum fears she could lose all she has left of her cherished still born son if his grave is turfed over.

The issue has arisen at St John the Evangelist church in Great Sutton, where Julie Simkins laid her son, Archie, to rest in November 2013.

Julie's plight went viral around Ellesmere Port, as she posted on social media, 'The church have taken everything off his grave and have told me they also turfing over him so I'll no longer know exactly where he is.'

The Reverand Antony Dutton, vicar at St John's, said:

"Following an accident in our graveyard last year we have had to ask families to clear some unofficially placed items from graves. These include plastic flowers, chimes, chippings, fencing, metal stands, soft toys, extra vases and stone ornaments.

"These items can become a hazard to those visiting the graveyard and they make the job of maintaining the graves and pathways difficult.

"This kind of request is normal for graveyards and follows recent advice from health and safety officers and the insurance company which covers our graveyard."

Julie has started a petition to prevent churches removing personal items from loved one's graves, which she is hoping to present to parliament. She is also contacting Ellesmere Port and Neston MP Justin Madders.

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Blain Boland

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