On 23rd March 2022 I posted a blog on the events that had taken place in Shiregreen Cemetery Sheffield.
A report on a newsfeed gave an update to the current state of affairs. I should add the newsfeed does tend to use over-emotive language to describe the current state of play but that unfortunately is the norm nowadays.
" Outrage over a 37 ton marble gravestone, dedicated to the ‘King of Sheffield’ in Shiregreen Cemetery continues, almost two years after it was unveiled.
The grave marks the resting place of Willy Collins, known to some as the ‘King of Sheffield’. A spat between the council and traveller family began in March 2022 when Sheffield council confirmed that the grave was erected without planning permission. The monument is said to be made of a whopping 37 tons of solid Carrara marble and features a solar-powered jukebox which plays his favourite tunes, as well as flashing LED lights and a lifesize 6ft 2in statue of Willy himself.
Believed to have cost around £200,000, the tribute ‘fit for a king’ also features four flagpoles and a marble bench, as well as depictions of Jesus Christ and biblical scenes. The private plot, which is thought to be one of the largest graves in the UK, was unveiled in March 2022 after the 49-year-old died when he collapsed on holiday in Majorca in July 2020.
A month after his death, hundreds of people came out to attend the funeral of the bare knuckle boxer, who was very well known in the Darnall area of Sheffield. Despite its whopping cost and size, the imposing marble structure was branded an “eyesore” when it was unveiled, with some left questioning how the “monstrosity” was ever allowed to be built, while other mourners expressed their frustration after they were told they weren’t allowed to put up small picket fences around graves for their loved ones.
The council currently has “no further updates” on the removal of the grave, despite saying in March 2022 that they were “considering” their “next steps” - which prompted Willy’s family to warn that there “would be war” if the memorial was touched. This saw the family hire a security guard to monitor the colossal shrine, with Willy's widow threatening "very bad riots" if the council touched it.
But during Yorkshire Live’s visit to Shiregreen Cemetery in February 2024, the grave remains in its full form and could be spotted from far away, standing significantly taller than all of the graves.
A spokesperson for Sheffield City Council said: “We are currently trying to address this situation and there are no other updates to report at the moment.” The council confirmed that the grave was built "without permission" in March 2022, saying that it exceeds the maximum dimensions permitted for a grave site, and that they were “considering” their “next steps”.
Councillor Alison Teal, executive member for sustainable neighbourhoods, wellbeing, parks and leisure, said: "We are aware of a large memorial which has been erected in Shiregreen Cemetery. This memorial was built without permission and we are currently considering our next steps.
"Cemeteries are a place where people can come, pay their respects and visit loved ones who are no longer with us. We understand memorials are deeply personal, however we must have rules in place to ensure fairness."
People of Sheffield were quick to share their opinions on the Shiregreen Cemetery grave after it was unveiled, with some branding it an ‘eyesore’ and ‘monstrosity’ while other mourners shared their frustration that they’ve not even been able to have a picket fence put up around graves for their loved ones.
Sharon Jones wrote: “How has something this big been allowed when people aren't even allowed a little picket fence or similar around plots,” while Rosy Ashton said: “My son is buried in Wisewood cemetery and we were ordered to take down a small stone trim around his grave. One rule for some and another rule for others.”
Catherine Elizabeth also took to Facebook to say: “He's allowed THAT, but the rest can't even put a tiny border in front of a normal headstone!”
Jackie Wilson wrote: “So the Cemetery will now be invaded by sightseers. "I'm sure other mourners will appreciate it ! How insensitive and tacky.”
As I stated in the first blog there has been a constant stream of stories over the years of Sheffield City Council imposing harsh and in many cases unnecessary regulation on the bereaved families.
Yesterday I located this article dated 13th October 1996 which demonstrates the alacrity with which Sheffield City Council deal with transgressions in its municipal cemeteries.
Sadly this alacrity seems to have deserted the council in the matter of Willy Collins last resting place. Two years on there are no further updates but Councillor Alison Teal, executive member for sustainable neighbourhoods, wellbeing, parks and leisure, did confirm that the Council are aware of a large memorial which has been erected in Shiregreen Cemetery. "This memorial was built without permission and we are currently considering our next steps". "Cemeteries are a place where people can come, pay their respects and visit loved ones who are no longer with us. We understand memorials are deeply personal, however we must have rules in place to ensure fairness."
Well I can honestly say that I cannot see any evidence of fairness at all. Sheffield City Council have not taken any meaningful action in nearly two years which is so unlike their normal stance when it comes to enforcing sanctions against miscreants. I wonder why this is?
