HERE'S hoping the upcoming public meeting in the Frank Cody Lounge, Masterton, regarding where we go from here with the tidy-up of Masterton Cemetery is well attended.
A small group of civic-minded people are behind the organisation of the meeting, standing to gain nothing for themselves, but giving the town a real chance of putting pride back into what had become a rundown mess.
Roddy McKenzie, Graeme Evans and Roger Hoar - supported by a few other like-minded people - have been the driving force behind reawakening people's awareness to the need to tidy the cemetery for visitors, families and out of respect for those who rest there.
Part of the process has involved speaking with Masterton District Council and this has resulted in some of the hard yards, namely the removal of unwanted trees being felled, but more remains to be done before the cemetery becomes an attractive town asset once again.
The public meeting to be held at 5.30pm on November 26 has been deliberately arranged so people in the workforce will be able to call in and have their say after work and before getting home and settling in for the evening.
It is likely a small official committee will be formed to oversee what happens from here on and the organisers are hoping people, especially those who have loved ones buried in the cemetery proper, or ancestors interred in the pioneer section, will front up and take an interest.
Cemeteries worldwide are remarkably popular with visitors and those with a penchant for things historical.
It is simply amazing what you can learn from a cemetery tour and although Masterton may be a relatively small town in a relatively small district when compared to many centres and cities throughout the world it nevertheless has some fascinating stories to tell.
Wairarapa archivist Gareth Winter has written many feature stories relating to those buried in Masterton Cemetery and I know from talking with him there remains many more worthy of an historical piece in the newspaper.
Apart from that aspect, it is right and proper that families who have perhaps allowed too much time to have elapsed since visiting family plots should take this opportunity of rekindling their interest and play their part in making Masterton Cemetery a place to be proud of.