Costa Blanca news | Cemetery work begins in Elche
It may be almost two months away, but with All Saint’s Day being such an important date in the Spanish calendar, cemetery work begins in Elche to bring them up to scratch in time for the visiting crowds.
The councillor from the Maintenance department, Hector Diez, has this week visited the two cemeteries to view the work currently underway.
The new government team in Elche (PSOE, Compromís e Ilicitanos por Elche) are determined to ensure that All Saints Day is respected without any hitches.
Municipal company Espais Verds is responsible for maintaining and refurbishing the green areas ahead of the All Saints Day on November 1. The budget for the completion of the work is €9,000.
“In particular we will concentrate upon the 30,000 metres at the more-than-two-hundred-year-old Cementerio Viejo and the 300,000 metres at the Cementerio Nuevo,” said the councillor. He went on to add that Espais Verds has employed an additional five workmen to assist with the task at hand and ensure that everything is completed on time.
Cementerio Nuevo alone has 81 spaces of 31 square metres of green-zone, which all require cleaning and pesticide treatments.
Additional tasks include pruning of the ficus hedges, clearing flowerbeds of weeds and debris, cleaning and general maintenance. There will also be some patching of damaged areas of walkway in Cementerio Nuevo, focussing on the areas most affected.
Diez explained that the work was vital and will be completed in time to welcome the massive influx of visitors expected on November 1 to pay respect to the dead.
On All Saints Day in 2014, the cemeteries of Elche welcomed more than 58,000 people. Cementerio Nuevo welcomed approximately 36,300 visitors, while 16,400 visited Cementerio Viejo, according to data provided by the Policia Local. Figures for 2015 are expected to increase with the celebratory day falling on a Sunday.
Cementerio Nuevo is located at Partida Peña Águilas, while Cementerio Viejo is located at Lugar Carrús. The districts of Torrellano, El Altet and La Marina also have their respective cemeteries.
Elle Draper
Elle, along with Alan, is the owner of Spain Buddy and the busy web design business - Gandy-Draper. Born a "Norverner", she then spent most of her life "Dann Saff" before moving to Spain in 2006. Elle's loves are Alan, the internet, their three bouncing dogs, good food, and dry white wine - although not necessarily in that order.
