Clacton-on-Sea: Widow's anger over flooded cemetery

Pauline Hamilton said her "whole family is suffering" because they cannot visit her husband's grave

A widow says she is "devastated" that she cannot visit her husband's grave because of flooding in the cemetery.

Pauline Hamilton said she wanted her husband "dug up" and moved because the flooding in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, would "just keep happening".

She said Tendring District Council, which is responsible for the cemetery on Burrs Road, should "never have put people in those graves".

The council said it was "sorry for the impact" on families.

Pauline Hamilton said she had to wear knee-high boots visiting the cemetery in April

Ms Hamilton's husband, John Hamilton, was buried there 17 months ago after his death from Covid-19.

He died 10 days after contracting the virus, and his family could not visit him in hospital due to coronavirus restrictions.

"I couldn't see him when he was alive and now I can't see him when he's dead," she said.

The 68-year-old said she wore knee-high boots when visiting the cemetery in April because of the mud and water, describing it as "decimated".

"I don't have anywhere to take my grief, to help my grieving, because I can't go to his grave," she said.

Ms Hamilton said she felt like she was "letting my husband down" because she had "buried him somewhere I can't even go and see him"

Damian Williams, corporate director for operations and delivery at Tendring District Council, said the flooding has been caused by "natural factors outside of our control".

"To address the issue we will carry out some remedial works, including adding in more soil, to assist with natural drainage," Mr Williams said.

He said the council was taking the matter "seriously" and has "put in motion steps to try to ensure this does not happen again".