Until recently, when it comes to controlling dogs at Sidmouth Cemetery, there has been some rather confusing signage.
There are now considerable efforts underway to bring in clear and helpful replacement signs at the entrances to the Cemetery, which will focus on asking dog owners to pick up after their dogs.
There will also be messaging about keeping dogs on leads, following on from the council’s public spaces consultation on the issue.
Members of Cherishing Sidmouth Cemeteries, the Vision Group for Sidmouth and the District Council have been working together to come up with the ideal signage which should provide clear guidance for dog owners as they walk through Sidmouth Cemetery.
The results should be forthcoming fairly soon, but in the meantime, here is a selection of signage from graveyards across the country, which give visitors come pretty clear messaging.
First, here’s a photo taken by a member of the Friends of Glen Goyle in the grounds of the Minster Churchyard in Axminster, giving a very simple message:
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Here’s a photo from the The Friends of Westlea Cemetery in Northumberland from 2019, with a little more text and a little more authority – which also reflects much of the recent East Devon council’s public spaces consultation proposals for Sidmouth Cemetery that should be coming into effect next year:
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And from Moretonhampstead Parish Council on Dartmoor, there is signage which makes it clear why dog owners are asked to keep their dogs on leads:
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Finally, some bright and encouraging signage from Glasgow City Council makes the basic point:
New signs reminding dog owners to keep their pets on a leash in Glasgow’s cemeteries and to pick up their poo are being erected at entrances. Dirty dugs who fail to bag and bin their pet’s poo face a fine. Responsible dog owners…
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The Cherishing Sidmouth Cemeteries project will be revealing the new signage for Sidmouth Cemetery anon!
Watch this space!
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