Locked Church Gates

[cazdee]

I went to put flowers on my parents grave this morning, only to find the churh gates were locked. There was a number to ring to arrange collection of a key. As I was on foot this was not a possibility. Can the powers that be do this?
Sorry if I have put this in wrong topic.
Many thanks

[Marshwarble]

The powers that be? Are you talking about the vicar or priest, an Archbishop or Him upstairs?

I think it might be better that the cemetery remains private. Many public cemeteries are open to vandals, and even those who don't may have the odd noisy visitor.

[cazdee]

The vicar. The church is in a quiet rural village. I can understand the church being locked but can't see why the gates to the grounds are locked.

[eanceoil]

Church gates are locked to protect your parents and others graves. Our Cemetary is locked, while it's in a churchyard a member of the cemetary committee holds the gates. In the past, sofas, kitchen electrics have been dumped in there. we've had to install CCTV to put a stop to hooligans thieving items from graves and just wrecking the place. Whether they are laid to rest in rural or urban graveyards the gates are locked for security reasons.

[eanceoil]

I made a typo up there^^, a member of the cemetary committee holds the key to the gates (not 'holds the gates')

[Peaspeculiars]

A lot of rural churches have issue with theft of the lead (windows/ flashing) and copper (lightning conductors) so they lock the gates as no-one would be about to stop them.
Shame about today, but at least you have the number now to call in advance for your next visit.

[Peter Pedant]

I think the short answer is yes

as in yes they do that the power to lock gates

Cemeteries are not public areas like squares
Certainly in Manchester they get locked - I walked through one in snow and found the damned exit locked and even the dog got tired and cold .....

I am sorry for your loss cazdee
I am also sorry for Marshw's flippant reply - you know like the noise waking the dead OMG

[jourdain2]

So sorry that that happened to you cazdee. It's a difficult problem to solve. There can be any number of reasons these days that the gates are locked -eg. perhaps the keyholder is ill. The very unfortunate fact is that there is no respect for church property or churchyards these days and some churches find it necessary to lock their gates.

Personal opinion - I hate it that anyone is excluded from the church, but people are so ignorant these days as to steal and desecrate. Try to look at the other side - we have a 'clean up the churchyard' morning organised next week to try to restore order, cleanliness and decency. Please try the phone number.