Have a say on old cemetery lodge’s future

Mar 19 2008 by Jackie Bow, South Wales Echo

A VALLEYS community is being urged to have its say on the future of a vandalised former cemetery lodge.

Maerdy Communities First Partnership, in Rhondda, is asking 1,600 residents for suggestions on how they would like to see the empty sexton’s house in the village brought back into use.

Community development worker Kristen Jones said: “Vandals are getting in there and the council is concerned that it is a fire hazard and would like the building to be used again.”

“We have been asked to carry out an informal consultation with the community and are doing that through our newsletter.”

She said it was suggested the house could be used by community groups or services in the future and offer protection against vandalism.

Newsletters have been delivered to homes, she said, adding: “One response said it should be restored as a sexton’s lodge.”

She said any refurbishment would involve young people from the skills centre set up at Ferndale Community School.

“Once we know what it could be used for we can look into funding.”