Cemetery extension on track for September

Councillors Peter Rush, Doreen Brophy-Lee, Malcolm Bruce and Parliamentary Candidate Councillor Wera Hobhouse outside Heywood Cemetery.

Work has begun on developing the new extension to Heywood Cemetery after it was revealed that the space in the current cemetery would be filled.

The two-acre area, adjacent to the existing cemetery, was identified for new graves after it was revealed 12 months ago that land used for new Church of England graves at the Rochdale Road East site would be full by the end of the year.

The Council had originally considered closing Heywood Cemetery to new graves and re-locating all new graves to Rochdale after it was revealed that the land ring fenced by the Council was unsuitable. However, local residents and politicians voiced their concerns over the original plans, and the pressure paid off when the extension to the current site was secured last year.

Leader of the Council Alan Taylor said: “The extension will provide Heywood Township with further new burial space at Heywood Cemetery for the next 25 years. I am glad to see that the project is on target and scheduled to be completed in September before land space in the existing cemetery expires.”

Heywood North Councillor Peter Rush, whose Harold Lees Road home is within sight of the cemetery, said: “I am delighted that this essential work is now underway. When I discovered there was a possibility that the Council would recommend the Cemetery being moved away from Heywood I made it my priority that we seek an extension to the existing site. Heywood residents need a place in Heywood to lay their loved ones to rest. I am delighted that my colleagues on the Cabinet listened to my demands and I look forward to the work being completed.”

However, Heywood Priest Father Paul Daly has taken issue with Councillor Rush taking credit, he said: "It was Labour Councillor Jacqui Beswick and myself who raised the matter at township and consequently in the media (including the Rochdale Online message board). For Cllr Rush to claim all the credit is typical but inaccurate.