Grieving sister demands action over fire memorial's 'appalling' condition

A grieving woman has criticised the "appalling" condition of a historic memorial in a cemetery that is the final resting place of up to 100,000 people.

- by James Connolly

Christine Bairstow, 79, expressed fears that the Grade II listed Leeds Fire Brigade Memorial is on the verge of collapse, as the ground beneath it appears to be sinking.

The monument is tucked away at the northern end of Woodhouse Cemetery - or St George's Field as it is known to the city's student community.

In response to the concerns raised, the University of Leeds, which acquired the land from the Leeds General Cemetery Company in 1956, said in a statement that it is "regularly serviced by our dedicated grounds staff".

The memorial was erected in 1892 after the death of fireman James Potter Schofield in a disaster that was described at the time as "the greatest fire Leeds had ever experienced".