THIS letter has been duplicated and sent to various people who are, or maybe concerned with the churchyard of St Mary's Church, Lydney.

I was appalled and disgusted at the sight that greeted me when after months of hospitalisation, I was taken to the churchyard by a friend to my family grave. It has been a family grave since 1915 when my grandfather, Captain Samuel Kingscote Lewis, died. He was a very respected harbour master at Lydney Docks for many years when it was at its peak time for ore and coal shipment.

My grandfather, his wife and their son James, who died in Marseilles in the First World War, are also interred there. Imagine my distress after three years of intense effort go get that part of the churchyard and other areas cleared and maintained.

It was supposed to be a 'conservation site' but has failed completely having no precious or rare flowers, in fact none at all. All that there is are weeds five to six feet high. These should have been cut down weeks ago.

Instead these weeds and mole hills cover the beautiful old pine tree. There are also a lot of brambles and an elderberry tree, much overgrown.

In front of the pine tree where there was once a lovely grass area, is a plethora of groundsel.

My family grave which has always been maintained and kept in good condition is now badly discoloured and the metal nameplates defaced. It is a very unusual grave with an anchor on it. I had hoped to be buried there with my family or at least have a plaque put on there. It is the only churchyard here or in the Forest and the Cotswolds to be so neglected.

I do appeal for yet another time for this churchyard to be brought up to standard so that people visiting from other places to see their family graves may be able to find and enjoy them.

The churchyard is a disgrace to Lydney and to the parish council. Please do something about it before it is too late.

My father, Francis Yeatman, was a devoted worker for Lydney, a parish councillor for many years, and he would have been horrified at the sight of the churchyard now. I do hope that something will now be done to restore the churchyard to its former glory. – Barbara Mary Steele (née Yeatman), Everest Road, Cheltenham.