Hardwick Street Cemetery’s buried shame of neglect
As one resident stated, it is not the remnants of the deceased one should fear, but rather the disregard sowed by the living of the town.
“To the solemn graves, near a lonely cemetery, my heart like a muffled drum is beating funeral marches.”
From his uttering, French poet, Charles Baudelaire seemed to understand the overwhelming feeling of despair one might feel when walking the aisles of a cemetery.
Among the graves of the Hardwick Street Cemetery, desolation makes way to destruction.
As one resident stated, it is not the remnants of the deceased one should fear, but rather the disregard sowed by the living of the town.
Pamphlets, alcohol bottles, cans…
These can be found in abundance at the cemetery, itself no stranger to negative press in terms of the sordid discoveries made by residents who visit loved ones.
Under the branches of a tree, clothing and food items were found.
Deeper into the maze of damaged headstones and sinking graves, all manner of litter can be found, including face masks believed to be used by municipal workers when cutting grass.
The municipality had not refuted this claim at the time of going to print.
A response to media inquiries is still being awaited, including answers to questions as to what action will be taken to rectify and prevent further desecration of the Hardwick Street Cemetery.
Meanwhile, residents claim to feel unsafe visiting loved ones.
“I will only go under duress; I haven’t been to the cemetery alone in a long time. There is a total lack of respect among our society,” a female resident said.
This resident suggested the municipality use rates to erect palisade fencing around the cemetery, and monitor comings and goings with a gate and security guard.
“As an adult, I feel more scared of the cemetery than when I was a child.”
