ITEMS have been removed from a baby boy’s grave in Didcot.
A distraught mother posted on the Facebook page “Spotted: Didcot” calling the culprits “really sick”.
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The items left were described as heavy and had been “spiked into the ground” at All Saints’ Church in Lydalls Road.
However they have since been removed and the mother is unsure on who or what has taken them.
One resident suggested that the items left could have been stolen by squirrels. She commented: “Once when I was tending to my babies graves I also tidied up the one that was next to ours.
“I walked away when I was finished and got back to the car having realised I’d forgotten my cutters - when I got back the one that I tidied up was really untidy again and the culprit was a squirrel just running off.”
However the mother stated the items were “spiked” down so it was unlikely to be an animal.
Another resident suggested the church may have removed the items if they were not permitted in the churchyard.
She commented: “I’ve known of graveyards having rules about what can and cannot be placed on or near graves, with staff being ordered to remove items breaking rules with no warning.”
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The Diocese of Oxford, which provides guidance for 808 churches across Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckingham, states: “With the permission of the minister, up to three toys or similar objects may be left at the graveside for a period of twelve months after the burial or interment. The minister may then remove them.
“Graves may not be fenced or otherwise individually delineated and individual gardens or shrubs are not permitted, although the incumbent may permit the planting of a few bulbs or annuals.
“Only cut flowers or wreaths, not plastic ones, may be left at the graveside. Silk flowers may be left until they fade or decay”.
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When asked if the items had been removed by a member of the church in Didcot, a spokeswoman said: “I’m not aware of a situation where that has happened but if it did the family would be contacted”.
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