RELATIVES are in shock after discovering trinkets and sentimental items from their loved ones’ graves had been moved without notice.

Kimberley Farrow arrived with her daughters at Colchester Cemetery’s Garden of Remembrance, in Mersea Road, to find vases left on her grandmother’s grave had gone.

But the shock soon turned to anger when she saw a collection of people’s items at the back of the cemetery office.

The mum-of-two said: “I was just taken aback.

“Apparently a notice was put up giving people a one-week notice period but that’s not long enough.

“I last went to my nan’s grave four weeks ago but there are others who visit every two months or longer whose stuff might be thrown out by then.

“To take things off of someone’s grave is unacceptable. Now it just looks bare and depressing.”

Mrs Farrow, of Colchester, lost her nan Barbara Whittaker three years ago.

Alongside the vase, a trinket the family had kept on Barbara’s grave since she died is lost.

She said: “There were so many left there I wouldn’t know which one was hers.

“When the undertaker took my nan away, he left a rose and a plaque on her pillow.

“There was also a little poem plaque but there were hundreds of similar plastic cards.

“Although it was three years ago, my nan’s death is still really sore. She was the first person I’ve really loved and lost so it was upsetting.

“I don’t understand how management can do that without giving us a chance to remove the items ourselves.”

However, Colchester Council explained requests for friends and relatives to keep memorial items to a minimum has been largely ignored.

Where possible, people can tribute loved ones in the Book of Remembrance or prayer room so the garden is pleasant for all visitors. But a meeting is planned to discuss the best options.

A spokesman added: “We sincerely regret any distress relatives may have felt by the removal of vases, ornaments and other mementos.

“Relatives who wish to retrieve these items are most welcome to do so.

“Regrettably, our advice has largely gone unheeded and we’ve seen a substantial upsurge in the number of items being placed on memorials in the past 18 months, which has made caring for the garden increasingly difficult.

“We’d like to reassure relatives we’re committed to striking a sensible and sensitive balance between their desires to respect the memory of their loved ones, and maintaining a peaceful and attractive garden for others to pay their own personal respects.

“To this end, a meeting is already planned for August to consider future options to enable us to continue to meet the needs and expectations, in the most respectful way, of everyone who visits the Garden of Remembrance.”

Council caught in row over excessive chimesGazette:

Marlon Sherman in front of the tree ladden with wind chimes

MELODIC wind chimes left at the cemetery caused tension between grave owners in 2011 when Colchester Council U-turned on its ban.

Hanging decorations and lights became a nuisance for visitors who argued it had gone too far with some people leaving toys, candles and Christmas-style baubles.

At the time one tree had up to 100 of adornments, leading the council to say no more.

Its argument was mourners should be allowed to grieve in peace.

About a month’s notice was given to anyone who breached the rules and their possessions were removed.

The council’s protective services manager, Colin Daines said of the wind chimes: “They just intrude at a time when people are at their most sensitive.

“There are hundreds in one area of the cemetery; certainly up to 100 on one tree.”

However, shortly afterwards the authority backtracked on the decision, following pressure from grave owners.

Families like Alison Day and Marlon Sherman, who lost their son at just eight-years-old, felt the ornaments added something special to the Mersea Road site.

Others felt the decision was too harsh and the wind chimes were pleasant rather than a nuisance.

Since then the council has continued to work with grave owners to respect their wishes.