Council Criticised for Neglecting Historic Cemetery

Reading Old Cemetery in East Reading was the town's municipal burial site until 1927 and holds 18,327 burials. At a policy committee meeting on 16 September councillors raised concerns that the council has failed to preserve it.

Councillor Josh Williams said: "Reading Old Cemetery has been neglected through lack of care and poor maintenance of its historic listed buildings and its monuments." He warned Historic England are considering placing it on their 'at risk' register and listed famous local names buried there.

Williams named figures including the Suttons, the Collier and Wheeler family, Simonds, Edith Mary Sutton (the first woman councillor in England and Reading's first female mayor), international footballer Charles Wollaston, and the Rev Francis Henry Wright. He also mentioned victims of poverty and two indigenous children, Young Willie Wimmera and Lucy May Owindia.

He asked: "Will the council pledge to put in place a Historical Management Plan to sit alongside the existing Environmental Management Plan for the cemetery, to ensure this history is preserved as best it can be for future generations?"

Jacopo Lanzoni replied: "I really disagree with the [suggestion] that the council is failing to preserve Reading's heritage." He said a standalone historical plan would need detailed surveys, specialist heritage assessments and extra resources, and that management must balance heritage, biodiversity, safety, accessibility and community use.

Lanzoni added: "Our objective should be to ensure that Reading Old Cemetery remains a respectful, safe and sustainable place of remembrance, with its rich history recognised and appreciated by future generations." He stopped short of committing to a separate Historical Management Plan at this stage.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter