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A new approach to supporting biodiversity has seen a section of Le Foulon Cemetery left to overgrow.
Concerns were recently raised by some members of the public over access to graves, but the States Property Unit has explained its current approach to groundskeeping at the cemetery.
“For the older areas of the cemetery which are less frequently visited by islanders, we adopt the approach of encouraging and supporting biodiversity by not mowing these areas," a spokesperson said.
"The only exception to this is for registered war graves where we will strim a pathway to the grave. The newer sections of the cemetery are maintained by States Works to ensure that access remains possible for those visiting the site.”
Express recently met Deputy Lester Queripel at the cemetery for an interview on a separate topic.
He said he supports biodiversity but he also has some concerns about the current approach to mowing and strimming at the cemetery.
Pictured: Le Foulon cemetery, earlier this month.
"I’m a great supporter of Biodiversity and I understand completely why the grass is left to grow in ‘the old quarter’," he explained. "However, I think it’s a great shame that it’s allowed to grow so high that it covers some of the headstones.
"I also think it’s a great shame that the area on the left hand side at the top of the cemetery, designated for graves in the future, isn’t allowed to also become ‘an area of Biodiversity’, seeing as there’s not a single grave on the site at present and there isn’t likely to be for the foreseeable future.
"Until recently, the whole area was a glorious carpet of yellow due to the thousands of Dandelions that were growing there. But the whole area was recently mown and the glorious carpet of yellow Dandelions, which was such a joy to see for any of our fellow islanders visiting the cemetery, is now no longer. Such a shame."
Pictured: The pathway behind the crematorium at Le Foulon Cemetery.
Le Foulon Vale crématorium and cemetery dates back to the 19th century, with some of the oldest graves located in the areas which have been left to biodiversity.
However, towards the top right hand of the cemetery, adjacent to the wall that borders Havilland Hall's grounds, are two newer graves, with one headstone dated 2016.
The cemetery has at least 36 Commonwealth War Graves with casualties from both the First and Second World War interred.
Other notable graves include the victims of the HMS Charybdis and Limbourne tragedies.
At least one French soldier is buried here too.
The crematorium was extended and refurbished in 2021, with nearly £4million spent on upgrading the chapel and the grounds.
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