Cemeteries across Ashfield closed amid pandemic

However, in a slight easing of restrictions, some of the pedestrian gates at Titchfield Park, Hucknall have been re-opened.

Under current government rules funerals and burials in the UK can only be attended by a maximum of ten people. Some local authorities have also taken further action to prevent the spread of Covid-19 by telling people to avoid visiting at all to pay respect to loved ones.

Hucknall Cemetery off Broomhill Road, Annesley Cemetery, Kingsway Old Cemetery, Kingsway New Cemetery, Huthwaite Cemetery, and Sutton Cemetery will be closed until further notice

Coun David Martin, Ashfield portfolio holder for streets, parks and town centres, said: "We are reluctantly having to close our cemeteries due to explicit instruction from the Government. This is not something we would have chosen to do but the Government is instructing councils on a daily basis.

“I'd ask residents to understand that this is happening across the country and our council leader, Coun Jason Zadrozny, is pushing as hard as possible to get these these restrictions that are causing great distress lifted as soon as possible.

“We are continuously reviewing the updates to the Government’s guidance and plan to re-open the sites as soon as we can. Once again thankyou to everyone for the support you have shown our front-line staff.”

Meanwhile, the council has re-opened the entrances to Titchfield but warned that it was down to the local population to follow social distancing guidelines in order for them as to whether they to stay open.

In a tweet a spokesman said: “From today, 14th April, we will be reopening some of the pedestrian gates on Titchfield Park, Hucknall. We thank local residents in advance for supporting these measures as you play a pivotal role in the park gates remaining open.”

In Mansfield the council is not closing cemeteries at this time. However, a spokesman said new social distancing measures for funerals at the Mansfield Crematorium, would be introduced .