David Blunkett in grave restoration battle - VIDEO
MP DAVID Blunkett joined local history group representatives and Sheffield residents at Wardsend Cemetery to show his support for plans to overhaul the neglected area.
The cemetery, off Penistone Road at Owlerton, Hillsborough, has fallen into a state of neglect and the council has been trying to find funding to sort out the overgrown grounds.
"I used to walk in this cemetery when I was a boy," the Sheffield Brightside MP told The Star. "I'd get very engaged in all the ghost stories my father would tell me.
"Of course the place was in much better condition then and the paths were more usable.
"We need to get the community involved in restoring this place. My job is to get the money!"
Local historian Ron Clayton arranged the walk-through of the cemetery to raise awareness of the worsening situation, and said Mr Blunkett was more than happy to come along and show his support.
"Mr Blunkett is a good man, he's very active in his constituency, and is a real servant of his people," Ron said.
"He always remembers his Sheffield roots."
Ron told The Star he feels history in Sheffield is under threat and all city residents need to pull together to ensure its survival.
"There's 100 years of history hidden in that cemetery," said Ron.
"I want to be able to hang on to what we have so we can pass it onto the next generation."
Mr Blunkett is currently in talks with Sheffield Council over what can be done to help restore Wardsend Cemetery.
"There's a lot we can do here, we just need to pull together," he said.
n Log on to The Star's website www.thestar.co.uk/video to watch interviews with Mr Blunkett and Ron Clayton at Wardsend Cemetery.
Got a view? Comment on this story below.
Buy The Star - Monday to Saturday - for local news, sport, features and ads. To subscribe CLICK HERE
READ MORE
Main news index
Your letters
Features
South Yorkshire's environmental news
Kids Zone
More business news
More Rotherham news
More Doncaster news
More Barnsley news
Latest sport
Email to a friend
Print this page- Sheffield school massage sessions under fire
- SHEFFIELD UNITED: Blades told to turn on style in bid to regain second place: Urges Danny Wilson
- A tough-talking TV show has put the spotlight on a Sheffield restaurant. Julia Armstrong went to see what has changed...
- Biobank study will add to knowledge
- Fleetwood Mac, Sheffield Arena - REVIEW AND SLIDESHOW
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sheffield
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
