The state of the Cemetery Chapel in Chesham has been discussed at a recent council meeting.

The Chapel has been shut for a number of months due to its deterioration.

As requested at the last Recreation and the Arts Committee meeting, a Schedule of Works survey was undertaken by a surveyor to find the costings to make the building suitable for commercial hire.

The committee decided that no immediate works would go ahead due to the considerable costs outlined.

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Due to the building being of considerable heritage value the Friends of Chesham Cemetery will be looking at the possibility of securing significant grant funding to try implement the necessary works.

The Friends of Chesham Cemetery is comprised of residents, councillors and members of the Police, who are all interested in the condition and future of Chesham Cemetery.

The Friends meet twice a year to plan maintenance and enhancement projects, but also have regular working parties in the cemetery carrying out maintenance work such as litter picking and refurbishing benches.

Despite this the cemetery itself has been a source of outrage for residents over the years.

In 2018 the Bucks Free Press reported on the alleged drinking and drug problem that happens in the area, as the cemetery is left open 24 hours a day due to people using it as a short cut through the town.

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One woman was 'disgusted' after two people were reportedly spotted having sex where her husbands ashes were scattered.

Due to these incidents many residents have called for the cemetery gates to be shut at night but Town Clerk Mr Bill Richards explained that police have in fact advised the council to keep them unlocked.

For the chapel to be restored and used again external funding will have to be implemented and the resolution of the meeting was for the Friends of the Cemetery Group to continue to seek this out with no immediate repairs and upgrades able to happen.