How can we best show respect for the places where people’s loved ones have been laid to rest?
There will be many opinions about how to do this thoughtfully and without causing distress, but perhaps all of us can agree that stealing things is the opposite of respectful.
We are sad to report that that is what has happened recently where Cherishing Sidmouth Cemeteries planted two hellebores, bought with money donated from the town, which have subsequently been ‘removed’. It is not a question of vandals having ripped them from the ground as it appears they were removed using a trowel or spade.
It seems unlikely that someone coming to tend a grave and perhaps plant something on it would then decide to steal to take home for their garden something meant to make the Cemetery look cared for. That leaves us with the thought that someone saw and liked the plants, went home to get tools and then came back, after all how many of us go on walks with a trowel in our pocket and the bags necessary to carry plants away?
This is very upsetting to the volunteers, and will also upset those who donate money to support their efforts. It would be nice to think that the person responsible will now feel shame that they were stealing from people who live in the town and not the ‘faceless council’, but how likely is that? If you recently noticed a new addition to your garden or someone brought you a present without a pot perhaps you could arrange to contact CSC to return it. You can do so from our contact page.
The picture below shows the sort of plant taken, but not the exact colour. Hellebores come in many attractive colours and the team had chosen the prettiest available. Note the lobed leaves, flowers can be double or have extra ‘frilly bits’ in the centre; some can look striped or are spotted. All of them provide much needed early food for bees and other insects.
Update
One of the team had taken a photo of one of the hellebores which was removed. You can see how pretty it was, and it would have bulked up over the years to make a clump about 50cm in diameter, it would have made a lovely show.
