FOUR pages of detailed rules have been produced about grave maint-enance at a Ribble Valley cemetery after it was criticised for banning artificial flowers. After months of debate, councillors in charge of Whalley and Wiswell Burial Ground have produced the guidance on what can, and cannot, be left on its 500 plots. They said the the ‘whole idea of what to put on a grave had become something of a minefield’. A mourner left devastated in May when she was banned from laying artifical flowers welcomed the relaxing of that particular rule. But she said ‘ridiculous’ level of detail in the rules made them very hard to follow. Betty Edwardson, 68, said: “There is only one page out of the whole lot which makes any sense and it is stupid that it has taken this long for them to come up with it. Now they’ve just gone back to the way it was before, allowing people to plant bulbs and put silk flowers on. They caused all this trouble for nothing. It’s barmy. “They have made the whole thing very complicated, but I am pleased that we can go back to the way it was and put flowers on my parents’ grave.” Whalley councillor Joyce Holgate said: “The rules will be difficult to absorb at a sensitive time when a bereavement takes place, but the committee had to reach a decision that seems acceptable to all.” Susan Earnshaw, chairman of Whalley and Wiswell Joint Burial Committee, said: “As times and tastes have changed, the whole idea of what to put on a grave has become something of a minefield. The committee has had a good look at their rules. This action was taken not only for aesthetic reasons, but with a view to health and safety for everyone entering the burial ground.” The new rules will be displayed on the notice board at the burial ground gate. THE RULES >> Artificial flowers are permitted, but faded or inappropriate artificial flowers may be removed at the discretion of the registrar. Christmas wreaths are also permitted, but these should be removed within two months of the occasion. >> No fences, barriers, edging stones, netting, or other type of boundary or protective coverings may be erected, or placed on any of the plots. >> Due to its dangerous nature, glass in any form is not permitted in any area of the burial ground whatsoever. >> Items listed below are allowed to be placed on the grassed area on or surrounding the grave: a) One metal or plastic spiked flower holder is permitted directly at each side of the base of the headstone, in the grass, but not at the front or back. b) Porcelain and fragile items, other than glass, may be placed on the plinth, but must be firmly fixed. c) The planting of naturalised spring flowering bulbs is allowed along the length of the grave, these will be mowed after flowering. d) Planters, tubs, vases and ornaments of a non- breakable nature are permitted on the plinth at the front of the headstone only. e) A further non breakable plant trough is permitted in front of the memorial, on the grass, but not sunk into the ground. To make maintenance easier this must be oblong, no longer than the memorial width and no wider than 200mm. >> The following items are NOT permitted: a) Spiked solar lights are not acceptable due to their fragile nature and dangerous parts. b) The planting of other flowers, bushes, shrubs or trees directly into the ground and the committee reserves the right to remove them without further warning. c) No items of any kind are permitted at the back of the memorial stone. >> Pathside plots: As these stones have a flat profile and, in order not to encroach on, or overshadow, adjoining memorials, the following must be observed: a) Any item placed on the memorial stone must be no larger, in circumference, than the stone itself. b) Any ornaments, flowers, potted plants and shrubs should be no higher than 300mm maximum and should be in keeping with the surrounding area. c) Spiked flower holders are NOT to be used. d) Porcelain and fragile items, other than glass, may be placed on the stone, but must be firmly fixed. >> The committee reserves the right to remove any memorial installed without appropriate author-isation, or which has become dangerous, or is in a derelict or unsightly condition, or has not been erected to accepted standards, or from acceptable materials.