'I've been digging graves for 40 years - I love it'

Mick Woods has worked across four cemeteries in Mansfield in his 40-year career

When Mick Woods applied to be a gardener more than four decades ago, he had no idea that a job rejection would lead him to the career of gravedigger.

Reflecting on it all, he says he has "loved every minute of it".

Mick works across four cemeteries in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, and said it involved anything from finding the plots, to maintaining the grounds and digging the graves.

Working so closely with the deceased does not faze him, he says, stressing that "it isn't the dead that bother you - it's the people they leave behind".

Mick works 10-hour shifts as part of a team of six

Mick said he originally applied to be a gardener for Mansfield District Council in his early 20s.

He said: "Sadly, I didn't get the job, but they phoned me later in the day and asked if I'd like to be a gravedigger. So I thought, why not?"

It was not his first experience digging graves. At 16 years old, he worked with his uncle at Clipstone Cemetery in Nottinghamshire for work experience.

"I never thought about it as a career, but I love being outdoors and meeting people, so it has worked out for the best," he added.

Mansfield Cemetery is one of the sites Mick works at

He works as part of a team of six, and they do 10-hour shifts in all weather conditions.

In addition to grave digging, the team maintain the cemeteries by keeping paths clear and cutting the grass.

The 61-year-old said: "People don't usually know what the job entails. We don't always dig graves by hand with a shovel.

"We mainly dig the graves with machines and finish them by hand. That's what has saved my back.

"Hand digging is, in some ways, a dying trade."

'My worst nightmare'

To some, the idea of working so closely to death can seem quite sad and uncomfortable.

But to Mick, he says it's a "privilege" to learn about someone's life and speak to the families.

He said: "Meeting people makes the job interesting, and even though it's serious, I've heard plenty of jokes over the years.

"People say things like, 'your job must be dead interesting', or, 'you work in the dead centre of Mansfield'. I've heard it all."

In his 40-year career, he has witnessed a few mistakes.

"My worst nightmare was when we dug the wrong grave," he said. "That appeared in the local paper.

"Sometimes, I've been at the side of the grave and [the ground] collapses in. You hang on for dear life, hoping you won't fall in."

The team work in all weathers to keep Mansfield's cemeteries tidy

Mostly, though, Mick enjoys the interaction the job gives him with members of the public.

"Sometimes we have to find graves for people researching their family history or pick a plot when they want to bury a loved one, and you get to know the history of the person you are burying, which can be interesting," he said.

"I like meeting people. I wouldn't want it any other way."

Mick plans on continuing his work until he collects his pension.

He said: "I still really enjoy what I do, and I'll do it 'till the end - well, until retiring age that is."

Councillor Andy Burgin, portfolio holder for environment and leisure at Mansfield District Council, said: "Being responsible for ensuring that our cemeteries remain immaculate is a big responsibility, and Mick and the team do an amazing job in all weathers.

"They deserve to feel proud of their contribution to life - and death - in Mansfield in delivering this vital public service."