In the cemetery we have a problem with grass and it would appear that it was ever thus …

There was quite a commotion at the monthly meeting of the New Swindon Local Board held in the summer of 1882.

Mr Dawson asked the Chairman if he would be in order in referring to the late sale of grass at the Cemetery? –

Mr Dawson then said there were three tenders received for the grass, one from Mr Wiltshire of £5, Mr Barker £5 and Mr Morris, junr., or one of the young Morris’s, of £4 5s. The committee appointed to sell the grass, Messrs W. Wearing and W. Morris, after opening the tenders, went and looked at the grass, and then Mr Morris said he would give £5 5s for the same for his son, and this was agreed to between the two. He (Mr Dawson) looked upon this as a very unfair and discreditable transaction on the part of Mr Morris, and having said this much left the matter in the hands of the Board.

The Chairman said there certainly appeared to have been some irregularity, but after what had taken place he did not think such a thing was likely to occur again.

Mr W.E. Morris said he had heard a good deal about the said “tenders,” were they in writing or by word of mouth?

The committee had no idea that there was £5 worth of grass at the place, and simply gave instructions that any one wishing to purchase could leave word with the caretaker at the lodge. The grass, however, appeared to have grown very rapidly and hence the competition for it.

The Chairman repeated that much irregularity appeared to have taken place, but the fault rested as much with the whole committee as with any individual member. The sum in question appeared to be so small that no one for a moment would believe that a gentleman in Mr Morris’ position would knowingly sacrifice his honour over it.

After further remarks the subject dropped, and the meeting broke up at an early hours.

Extracts from the Swindon Advertiser, Saturday, August 5, 1882.

By the spring of the following year the situation would appear to have been resolved and the sale of grass was advertised in the Swindon Advertiser.

Swindon Cemetery

The Swindon Burial Board are desirous of selling the GRASS growing in the Cemetery, for cropping or feeding purposes, to the 31^st October next.

Particulars may be obtained of the Caretaker at the Cemetery.

Sealed tenders to be sent to the undersigned, on or before the 16^th April latest.

J.C. Townsend, Clerk.

42 Cricklade-street, Swindon, 6^th April, 1883.

The Swindon Advertiser, Saturday, April 7, 1883

Now I wonder if anyone would be prepared to come and cut the cemetery grass for a fiver today!