Cheryl’s grandparents are buried in Heaton Cemetery, where many gravestones have been flattened (Picture: North News & Pictures Ltdnort)
Cheryl’s grandparents’ headstones have been knocked down by the council, it has been reported.
The former X Factor Judge, 40, is currently gearing up for her reunion tour with Girls Aloud in 2024, but something quite close to home might ‘sadden’ her ahead of the festive period, according to a relative back in Newcastle.
The gravestones of Brian and Margaret Tweedy have reportedly been flattened at Heaton Cemetery in Newcastle.
It is understood that Newcastle City Council toppled the headstones following safety concerns, as one relative discovered on visiting the graves ahead of the festive period.
Cheryl was said to be very close to Margaret, who died aged 60 in 2001.
The Fight for this Love singer’s uncle Tony Tweedy told The Mirror: ‘I can imagine she will be upset when she finds out, she’s like the rest of us.
‘She gets emotional about things. Her dad will tell her what’s happened.
Cheryl’s grandparents – Brian and Margaret Tweedy (Picture: North News & Pictures Ltdnort)
‘She doesn’t come up to Newcastle as much now, but she will be saddened by this.’
Tony, 59, claimed the council didn’t make an effort to contact the family before taking action.
The Geordie said the Tweedy family only found out about the change after his brother visited the graves recently, and they are now reportedly facing a bill of over £500 to repair them.
A yellow warning sign which explains ‘this memorial is unsafe’ is said to have been placed on the graves.
He said: ‘We are disgusted by what’s happened. The council couldn’t have done this at a worse time, just before Christmas.’
Many other gravestones were also toppled, including those of three triplets who all died as babies, according to their father Derek Armstrong.
Newcastle City Council said: ‘We have a legal duty to ensure our cemeteries are safe places for people to pay their respects and for our staff to work in.
Cheryl is currently gearing up to go on tour with Girls Aloud (Picture: Shirlaine Forrest/Getty Images)
The star doesn’t get back to Newcastle much, according to a source (Picture: Neil Mockford/GC Images)
‘In June, we started a programme of work to carry out safety inspections in all 10 of the council’s managed cemeteries.
‘A decision to lay down a memorial is only taken if they are deemed to present a risk to the public.
‘We understand this is an emotive and sensitive subject but we would like to reassure families that the work is carried out with the greatest respect and sensitivity.
‘We always try to contact the last known owner should their headstone need to be repaired but please appreciate this may not always be possible.
‘Our staff are always on hand to provide support and guidance to families so they can get their memorials repaired.’
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She will be ‘saddened’ according to a relative.