Grieving mum's joy as work begins on footpaths in 'mudbath' cemetery

Last week, Laura Rose Cooper, whose son is buried in the cemetery, hit out at the state of walkways around graves, saying they were caked with thick, slippery mud and that one elderly female mourner had slipped and fractured her ribs. Now, after The Star highlighted the issue, work has begun to install new footpaths in Greasbrough Cemetery, which is run by Rotherham Council. Laura Rose, who visits her son Freddie’s grave twice a day, said: “It’s been a long, hard three years trying to get something done in this cemetery but we have finally succeeded and I am so happy that paths are going down. “We can’t wait to be able to sit peacefully with our son without being surrounded by deep sludge and falling each time we visit. This should have been done a long time ago it would’ve saved a lot of families the heartache of not being able to visit their loved ones.” Laura added: “The cemetery has still got a lot to do to make it right for us but at least they have made a start. There are a lot of other families still unable to access graves. “We are so grateful that the publicity seems to have had an impact.” The distress caused by the muddy graveyard was the second heartache Laura has had to endure in just over a year. In September 2019, she was left devastated when heartless thieves stole a specially made wooden toy sword from Freddie’s grave on the second anniversary of his birthday. Freddie died at just 17 days old in October 2017 after being born prematurely at 24 weeks. Doctors fought to save him but he contracted sepsis and died. Since then, Laura Rose, of Rossiter Road, Greasbrough has visited his grave twice a day and turned it into a shrine with toys, flowers and balloons. Dignity has managed the cemeteries in Rotherham on behalf of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council since 2008. POLICE: Fears over crime gangs recruiting young people in South Yorkshire during pandemic LATEST: 'We cannot afford to lose our iconic venues': appeal to save Sheffield's nightlife DRUGS: Cannabis farmer grew 250+ plants to pay off debts to drugs bosses in Sheffield In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.