Travellers Take Over Gillingham Cemetery Field, Disrespect Mourners
Travellers camping next to Woodlands Cemetery in Gillingham have sparked outrage after telling a grieving mourner to “f*** off” when asked to leave. The group has reportedly ‘taken over’ a nearby field, leaving it littered with rubbish and human waste.
Rubbish and Chaos Left in Wake of Travellers
Since arriving on Sunday afternoon, around ten caravans and 15 vehicles have dumped human waste and rubbish — including used nappies — across the field. Children on quad bikes have torn up grass and damaged footbridges, adding to local frustration.
One anonymous local woman slammed the camp: “It’s absolutely disgusting, so disrespectful. Of all the places to pitch up, right next to a crematorium — it’s outrageous.” Many believe the travellers should pack up and leave out of respect for those visiting the cemetery.
Mourner Faces Abuse for Plea to Leave
A member of the Twydall Area Community Group said he was told bluntly by the travellers: “We ain’t gonna wake them up — they’re dead,” when he raised concerns about camping so close to the cemetery.
“I think they’ve crossed a line by setting up there. It’s supposed to be a place where people go to pay their respects. My mum is laid to rest there, so I went down to ask them kindly to leave. I didn’t raise my voice or swear – just appealed for a bit of respect,” he said.
Further Abuse and Worrying Sightings
Local resident Tricia Turner reported abusive gestures and swearing from youths at the site. She said: “I saw human waste everywhere. The kids are the nightmare. There’s also a homeless man sleeping under a tree by the factory — I hope the kids leave him alone. He’s been there for three weeks or more.”
Council Taking Action
A Medway Council spokesperson confirmed: “We are following a civil legal process to move the group on as quickly as possible.” Residents await swift action to restore peace and respect near the cemetery.
