This is Leicestershire -- A stretch of the River Soar by Leicester's National Space Centre has been chosen for families to scatter the ashes of deceased relatives. Leicester City Council has been seeking a location on the river following requests from the Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities. In those religions ashes are traditionally scattered on running water so they are ultimately taken to the sea. The selected site, owned by the city council, already has a platform in place, with good level access from a path and handrails leading to the water's edge. Families will be allowed to scatter ashes from there without charge. The council said the spot is discreet, surrounded by trees and shrubs, and at a point in the river where ashes can be dispersed easily by the water. It says it is also located away from any angling clubs and boating clubs which use the river. Mourners who want to scatter ashes themselves do not need to book but they can ask for an parks officer to support them and scatter the ashes. That service costs £60, and is the same service offered for the scattering of ashes at Gilroes Cemetery or any of the city's parks and green spaces. Concerns have been raised about the potential pollution of the river, both from the ashes and items such as wreaths and plastic flowers. The area has been sanctioned by the Environment Agency and it is hoped the designated spot will prevent the scattering of ashes on unapproved stretches of the river. An agency spokesman said: "Ashes have little impact on water quality, but other items should not be placed in water with them. "Wreaths can contain metal or plastic which can cause litter or harm wildlife." The area will be monitored by city council staff to make sure agency's guidelines are adhered too. Councillor Piara Singh Clair said: "Faith group leaders have been asking us for some time for a suitable site on the River Soar in Leicester for scattering ashes, and following work with the Environment Agency we've identified this location. "It meets many of the requirements in terms of being a discreet, quiet spot suitable for such a ceremony, but is also easily accessible and safe for people to use. "I will be contacting the various faith groups which have been involved in the development of a local site." City councillor Sundip Meghani, who has pushed for a designated ashes scattering area, said: "I am especially glad there will be no charge. It was a suggestion that people be made to pay and I was very much against that. "This will mainly be used by certain faith groups but it needs to be stressed it is not just for them. "I've been contacted by people who have said their relatives used to love angling on the river and they would have liked to scatter their ashes on the water." Vinod Popat, chairman of British Hindu Voice, which is based in Leicester, said: "I have not seen the site myself so I can't comment on it but something is better than nothing. I thank the council for finding a space."
Reported by This is 7 hours ago.
This is Leicestershire -- A stretch of the River Soar by Leicester's National Space Centre has been chosen for families to scatter the ashes of deceased relatives. Leicester City Council has been seeking a location on the river following requests from the Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities. In those religions ashes are traditionally scattered on running water so they are ultimately taken to the sea. The selected site, owned by the city council, already has a platform in place, with good level access from a path and handrails leading to the water's edge. Families will be allowed to scatter ashes from there without charge. The council said the spot is discreet, surrounded by trees and shrubs, and at a point in the river where ashes can be dispersed easily by the water. It says it is also located away from any angling clubs and boating clubs which use the river. Mourners who want to scatter ashes themselves do not need to book but they can ask for an parks officer to support them and scatter the ashes. That service costs £60, and is the same service offered for the scattering of ashes at Gilroes Cemetery or any of the city's parks and green spaces. Concerns have been raised about the potential pollution of the river, both from the ashes and items such as wreaths and plastic flowers. The area has been sanctioned by the Environment Agency and it is hoped the designated spot will prevent the scattering of ashes on unapproved stretches of the river. An agency spokesman said: "Ashes have little impact on water quality, but other items should not be placed in water with them. "Wreaths can contain metal or plastic which can cause litter or harm wildlife." The area will be monitored by city council staff to make sure agency's guidelines are adhered too. Councillor Piara Singh Clair said: "Faith group leaders have been asking us for some time for a suitable site on the River Soar in Leicester for scattering ashes, and following work with the Environment Agency we've identified this location. "It meets many of the requirements in terms of being a discreet, quiet spot suitable for such a ceremony, but is also easily accessible and safe for people to use. "I will be contacting the various faith groups which have been involved in the development of a local site." City councillor Sundip Meghani, who has pushed for a designated ashes scattering area, said: "I am especially glad there will be no charge. It was a suggestion that people be made to pay and I was very much against that. "This will mainly be used by certain faith groups but it needs to be stressed it is not just for them. "I've been contacted by people who have said their relatives used to love angling on the river and they would have liked to scatter their ashes on the water." Vinod Popat, chairman of British Hindu Voice, which is based in Leicester, said: "I have not seen the site myself so I can't comment on it but something is better than nothing. I thank the council for finding a space."
Reported by This is 7 hours ago.