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Search for£2m bid to make crematorium one of the cleanest in the UK
Friday, November 21, 2008, 09:37
Westerleigh Group, the Bristol-based private company which in November took charge of the service from Torbay Council, says it is to fit new equipment over the next four years, bring in energy conservation measures, while keeping up a new emphasis on grounds maintenance.
Managing director Richard Evans said as soon as Westerleigh took over cemetery maintenance, there were orders for more work to be done by ground staff on improving the quality of the presentation of the cemeteries.
Staff have worked every day since the contract started at the beginning of November to cut down overgrown burial sections and restore the cemeteries to a neater condition in time for Christmas. The intensive drive to improve standards across the grounds will be sustained, Mr Evans said.
"People wanting to return to the graves and memorials of loved ones to grieve, or simply to spend time in contemplation, deserve well kept grounds.
"We know many people like to visit cemeteries over Christmas and we saw it as essential the cemeteries were put into a reasonable condition by then. It is obviously not ideal to be cutting grass in this way at this time of the year.
"But we wanted to make an impression and show people we are serious about improving standards and we have already received compliments from visitors. The real improvements though will be seen next year when the cemeteries are restored to a condition as good as anywhere in the country."
Westerleigh took over the service on a 25-year lease and Mr Evans said: "In recent years, crematorium operators have had to become more environmentally aware and we believe the regime in operation until now could be more environmentally friendly."
He said the new management has committed Torbay to a major investment programme which will see the installation of new cremators and filtration equipment at the cost of more than £2million.
He said when the work is done, the crematorium will be one of the cleanest in the UK with filters designed to remove harmful emissions generated by the cremation process.
Mr Evans said the company will be complying with national standards of environmental good practice set down by professional groups.
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