A NEW community group dedicated to maintaining Heybridge cemetery will have its inaugural meeting in October.

Maldon district councillor Miriam Lewis is setting up “Friends of Heybridge Cemetery” who will meet up several times throughout the year to support those who have loved ones buried at the cemetery on Goldhanger Road.

Mrs Lewis has been attending the cemetery regularly following the sad death of her daughter Natalie in December last year.

She has formed the group with several other residents who regularly attend the cemetery.

Mrs Lewis said: “Since I have been going down there regularly there is a group who attend regularly, and they’re not allowed to touch the graves.

“Some have moved away or have already and difficult to keep the graves and yard tidy.

“This group can help families whose loved ones are buried in the graveyard to go down and help keep things in order. It would mean we could use the chapel more, we’re working with the parish council to let us use it for the more regular meetings.

“Going to the cemetery regularly you do see the people who are there often, and I thought creating this group would allow those who do visit to be a part of something, and to know that a group exists if they just need some support if they’ve recently buried someone.”

The inaugural meeting of the group will take place on Saturday October 6 at 10.30am at the chapel in the cemetery.

Mrs Lewis added: “The cemetery graveyard really is one of the hearts of the community, it needs to be looked after, and people can always use someone to talk to during difficult times.”