CHERYL Tweedy is facing agony after her grandparents’ graves were “deliberately demolished” by a rogue council.
The graves of Brian and Margaret Tweedy have reportedly been leveled at Newcastle’s Heaton Cemetery.
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Cheryl faces agony after her grandparents’ graves are demolished Credit: Getty
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Newcastle City Council leveled the headstones of Brian and Margaret TweedyCredit: NNP
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Cheryl’s grandparents – Brian and Margaret Tweedy Credit: NNP
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The council issued a warning that the graves were ‘unsafe’Credit: NNP
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The headstone of Derek Armstrong’s triplets has also been removed Credit: NCJMedia
It is understood Newcastle City Council took down the headstones due to safety concerns.
Cheryl was extremely close to her grandmother Margaret, who died aged 60 in 2001.
The star’s uncle, Tony Tweedy, told the Mirror: “I can imagine she’ll be upset when she finds out, she’s like all of us.
“She gets emotional about things. Dad will tell her what happened.
“She doesn’t come to Newcastle that much now, but this will make her sad.”
Tony, 59, said the council had made no effort to contact the Tweedy family about its decision to remove the headstones.
They only found out after Tony’s brother went to the graves to pay his respects and found them overturned.
The family are reportedly facing a bill of more than £500 to repair the headstones.
A yellow sticker reading “Warning: This monument is not secure” was reportedly placed on the headstones.
But Tony said Brian and Margaret’s graves were stable and in good condition.
He said: “We are appalled at what has happened. The council could not have done this at a worse time, just before Christmas.”
Several other graves were also removed – including those of Derek Armstrong’s triplets who all died as babies.
Derek came to visit Matthew, Daniel and Luke’s resting place when he discovered a tombstone on the ground.
Meanwhile, Jo, who did not want to reveal her surname, said she was left heartbroken after her family’s stone was moved.
She told the BBC: “My mum has been dead for 38 years and we’ve always maintained her grave and this is what we get.
“[Newcastle City Council] at least he could have warned us. That is completely disrespectful. This is the only place where we must remember them.
“What must we do now? Pay more money to get them back. What about people who don’t have money?”
A stone was also removed from the wrist of Lynn Davidson’s grandmother, mother and sister.
She explained: “I was devastated, I couldn’t believe it. When we were going to the grave I could see something and I said ‘what is that on the grave?’ And I just got totally upset.
“At first I thought it was just ours, but we walked around the cemetery and there are tons of them.”
Newcastle City Council said: “We have a legal duty to ensure that our cemeteries are safe places for people to pay their respects and where our staff work.
“In June, we started the work program of implementing security supervision at all 10 cemeteries managed by the municipality.
“The decision to place memorials is made only if it is considered that they pose a danger to the public.
“We understand that this is an emotional and sensitive subject, but we would like to reassure the families that the work is being done with the utmost respect and sensitivity.
“We always try to contact the last known owner if their headstone needs repair, but please note that this may not always be possible.
“Our staff are always ready to provide support and guidance to families so they can repair their memorials.”
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Bereaved families have spoken of their shock Credit: NCJMedia
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The Tweedy family were not told that the graves would be razed Credit: NNP
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Cheryl’s uncle Tony criticized the clumsy Merit: NNP council
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