Wildcat Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 The gnomes, along with plastic flowers and other decorations such as teddy bears, have been called "inappropriate" and tacky by the Diocese of Bath and Wells. The church banned the garden figures from Wrington and Congresbury cemeteries in Somerset, and have said they will remove any that they find as part of new guidelines issued by the Chancellor of the Diocese, Worshipful Timothy Briden. A spokesman for the Diocese of Bath and Wells said: "There is no such thing as a real gnome so why should we have such unnatural creatures in churchyards?" The spokesman added: "Things such as gnomes and plastic flowers are not permitted because they are aesthetically unattractive and they make it harder to maintain the grounds. "The historic churchyards are part of Somerset and we want to keep them tidy and safe. "If people want their loved ones to be buried in one of our churchyards then they have to stick to the rules which are clearly displayed at all churchyards." The decision to ban the gnomes and statues has been met with criticism from the community however. Hollie Richards, 24, who has lived in Congresbury all her life and has two grandparents, an uncle and an aunt buried in St Andrew's churchyard in the cemetery, said: "People should be free to put what they want around the gravestones as it is down to personal preference. "It helps the grieving process as you can surround the grave of the person you love with possessions that were important to them. Ms Richards added: "I am lucky I live so near as I can take fresh flowers, but what about the people who live far away? "They will have to leave knowing the flowers will deteriorate and will look unsightly after a few days." Telegraph So are gnomes aesthetically unnattractive? Is the Worshipful Timothy Briden, right to impose his aesthetic taste on grieving relatives? I can see that this particular gnome would probably be innappropriate But why not plastic flowers? or other ornaments? Can't they make their decision on a case by case basis? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bikertec Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 "There is no such thing as a real gnome so why should we have such unnatural creatures in churchyards?" And angels are real never seen one of them either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mort Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 As a youngster i was in the brownies, I was a gnome. I am as many will agree aesthetically pleasing and Timothy Briden better watch his step or swarms of us vertically challenged types will be over to headbutt his kneecaps. The bare faced cheek of the man Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bozo Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Two words: Robin Cook. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dozy Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 As a youngster i was in the brownies, I was a gnome. I am as many will agree aesthetically pleasing and Timothy Briden better watch his step or swarms of us vertically challenged types will be over to headbutt his kneecaps.The bare faced cheek of the man My bold Are you sure you're not confusing him with this chap?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dozy Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Two words: Robin Cook. Do you mind - I've just eaten my tea!! :rant: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 ROFL! And anyway, it's not PC to call short people Gnomes is it? Apparently the PC Brigade wants to change the title of Snow White to "Snow White and the 7 vertically challenged Miners" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flamingjimmy Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Apparently the PC Brigade wants to change the title of Snow White to "Snow White and the 7 vertically challenged Miners" Apparently eh? £10 says that's ********, any takers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halibut Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Apparently eh? £10 says that's ********, any takers? I'll lay a ton. Returning to the OP - gnomes are most definitely hideously aesthetically unattractive. I wouldn't want any hanging around near the grave of one of my loved ones - but then I think we do grieve rather tackily these days and I guess it's a bit much to start shouting about the way other folk like to bury their dead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanoGV Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 ROFL! And anyway, it's not PC to call short people Gnomes is it? Apparently the PC Brigade wants to change the title of Snow White to "Snow White and the 7 vertically challenged Miners" Hey. look Alan Sugar is short, but tomorrow he will wake up and be very large in the eyes of millions of people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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