THE work of volunteers geared to helping make Beath Cemetery a better place for grieving relatives to remember lost ones in, started on Sunday and people of all ages were committed to making a difference.

Beath Cemetery has been under the spotlight for the last year with visitors complaining about a lack of care and poor standard of general maintenance by Fife Council’s Bereavement Services.

Cuts in manpower have made things difficult for the cemeteries teams throughout the county.

Long grass and weeds have upset many, as did bins which were often overflowing, but thanks to the collective efforts of a group of local residents, such issues are now being addressed.

On Sunday, the group consisting of local councillors, visitors and staff from the Co-op Funeralcare, took part in a community action day. They focused on litter-picking and improving the main entrance by sweeping up leaves and debris from the paths and roads.

Conservative councillor for Cowdenbeath, Darren Watt, has been leading on this and said: “I am extremely grateful to local residents and visitors their for patience and understanding.

"This has been a very emotional and upsetting time for many and I’ve worked closely with them and Council Officers to address a number of concerns and issues.

"It is very apparent a great deal of work has recently been undertaken by Fife Council and I'd like to thank them for their efforts. Ultimately though, I’d like to thank Jackie, Jim, Margaret, Andy, Cheryl and her family, for their support and assistance throughout by attending various meetings with me and rolling up their sleeves on the action day itself.

"Furthermore, thanks must be extended to Debbie and Wright, from the Co-op Funeralcare, for all their help and guidance."

Debbie commented: "At Co-op Funeralcare we are all about helping people and we know that the team at Beath Cemetery do everything they can but resources are stretched.

"So we were only too happy to help in anyway we can and to get involved on Sunday was something we enjoyed and it was amazing what could be done with a group of about a dozen people."

Councillor Watt added: "Also, credit where it’s due to local Labour Councillor, Alex Campbell, for joining us on the day, getting stuck in and offering his continued support.”

Councillor Campbell said: "Beath Cemetery is where my mother is buried so I have been a regular visitor over the years and I think everyone would agree that people going to visit relatives' graves deserve decent surroundings.

"There were about a dozen of us there on Sunday, and in a short space of time between 15 and 20 bags of rubbish were filled.

"We concentrated on the entrance area on the day and it did make quite a difference and hopefully more people can get involved in future visits."

Cllr Watt concluded; “I would like to make it clear though, this group has been formed to work alongside Council staff and further enhance and improve the cemetery and the surrounding grounds.

"We’re certainly not doing their job, simply complimenting their efforts. We are very positive as we go forward and we will be hosting more action days before the end of the year.”