SALFORD: MYSTERY OF ABANDONED GRAVEYARD DEEPENS AS NEW SECURITY GATES ARE FITTED

The mystery surrounding the ownership of a Roman Catholic graveyard last used in 1940 that has prompted an amateur historian to write to the Pope has deepened after new security gates were fitted.

As highlighted by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) last week, history enthusiast Craig Ellis voiced safety fears over how the Barton Upon Irwell Roman Catholic Graveyard was easily accessible and was being used as a drugs den.

Salford city council, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Salford and even property giant Peel all say they do not own the site on Peel Green Road, near the old Barton Bridge.

Yet, the rusting gates which last week could be easily opened to enter the cemetery where many priests and entire families are buried have now been replaced and secured with a new padlock.

Craig, a 52-year-old IT consultant, has conducted extensive research into the background of the overgrown graveyard and has been unable to establish who owns it or who is responsible for its upkeep.

The 30 metre by 30 metre cemetery was formerly owned by the de Trafford family, who were big landowners around Peel Green for hundreds of years. But when the family offloaded the burial ground to the Catholic church in the 19th century, the necessary paperwork for ownership to be secured was never completed, meaning the graveyard is now owned by no one.

A spokesperson for the Salford diocese said:

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“We have not put those new gates and it is not our property.”

They said that a lot of the de Trafford land had been acquired by Peel, but a spokesperson for the company said they did not own the site and had not fitted the gate.

Likewise, a spokesperson for the city council told the LDRS:

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“No, Salford city council didn’t fit the gate.”

Meanwhile, Craig has now dispatched his letter to Pope Francis. It has been seen by the LDRS. In it, he addresses the Pope as ‘Your Holiness’ saying: “It turns out that no landowner is documented for the cemetery – I’ve confirmed with the UK land registry – and it’s been left abandoned for 80 years when the local Roman Catholic church stopped funerals there because the cemetery was full.

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“The main issue is the cemetery is abandoned and needing repair…People use the site to drink alcohol and take drugs, which is very disrespectful, especially as Catholic priests are buried there.

“I have pleaded with the local council to secure the site…The [Salford] diocese has told me ‘it’s not our issue’.

“I’ve come to you in desperation and prayer to highlight this sad state of affairs.”

 

Nearby neighbour Peter Mort, 52, said the graveyard had been an issue for local residents for a number of years:

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“You’d think someone would want to tidy it up and look after it,” he said. “It’s such a sad situation.”

Salford Media has spoken with a number of residents in the area who insist that there is no issue with antisocial behaviour, drug taking or alcohol consumption on the site. We have visited a number of times ourselves and have found no evidence of such taking place.