A campaigner for keeping Britain’s cemeteries tidy says the abuse he’s received will not stop him from fighting on for lost loved ones.
John Gilmore from Yardley in Birmingham has been campaigning across the city to try and get people to sign his petition, calling for specific funding to preserve and protect cemeteries around the UK.
Speaking to GB News, Gilmore said they should be “beautiful, green open spaces we are all proud of”.
He said: “What I hope will happen is that the Government will realise people do care about these precious places and that they are really important.
“Councils need to stop taking all the money away from cemeteries that they generate from burials and services, because it’s needed so much for their upkeep and maintenance.
“We need to be respecting and giving so much more dignity to all the people that are no longer with us, whether that be people that have lived and worked here, or our armed forces personnel that have served and sacrificed their lives for this country.”
In a bid to increase the awareness of his campaign, Gilmore has taken to the roadsides of Birmingham with a placard detailing his cause and urging people to sign his petition.
The placard reads ‘Stop the neglect, the underfunding and disrespect!’ and shows pictures of damaged graves.
Graves in a state of ruin
JOHN GILMORE
John Gilmore’s sign campaigning to save cemeteries around the UK
JOHN GILMORE
However, the amount of abuse John says he’s received has “shocked” him.
He said: “There are people that have been absolutely fantastic, piping their horns and saying thank you, but there has also been so much disrespect, not only to myself, but to those that are no longer with us.
“People have sworn at me, they’ve told me to ‘f*** off’, they’ve called me really nasty names, and someone even punched the placard that I’m holding.
“It has really shocked me because I personally didn’t believe there was that level of disrespect to such a sensitive subject.
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Cemetery left in horror state with graves knocked over and covered in churned earth
JOHN GILMORE
John Gilmore standing by the roadside with his sign
JOHN GILMORE
“I’m proud to stand here and hold this because all those people that have passed away can’t do it.
“I will not let those who are very, very unkind deter me from doing what I’m doing.”
His campaign, now two years old, has seen him visit cemeteries around the country.
Gilmore says he regularly finds fly-tipping, broken fences, potholes on roads used by hearses, and smashed graves.
Gilmore said he has received a ‘shocking’ amount of abuse
JOHN GILMORE
Urns and memorials knocked over
JOHN GILMORE
Urging people to sign his petition, he told GB News there is consistent neglect when they should be “cared for and respected”.
He said: “Fly-tipping just ruins the look of these places that people rely on to grieve and have tranquillity.
“Cemeteries shouldn’t be an afterthought. When you visit one it should be absolutely spotlessly clean and really well maintained.
“We have fantastic groups of volunteers, but they are not the sole answer because they can’t repair potholes in the road, and they can’t repair broken fences.
“I would ask people with all my heart to sign the petition because it’s going to shine a light on cemeteries.
“They’re giving those that are no longer here with us a voice, they’re giving cemeteries a platform, and with more signatures, more of a light can be shined on these precious places.”
You can support the petition HERE.