George Michael and Karl Marx’s graves ‘at risk’ from falling trees at London cemetery
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An £18,000,000 plan to redevelop Highgate Cemetery, the final resting places of Karl Marx and George Michael, has divided local residents. The graves of Marx and Michael are among those currently ‘at risk’ of damage from falling ash trees, which have been decaying due to longstanding disease and drainage issues at the famous cemetery.
![[Highgate cemetery has been the subject of a 18 Million transformation proposal. Pictured: infected trees chopped down Shot on 18th Dec 2024. (C) Belinda Jiao 07598931257 www.belindajiao.com jiao.bilin@gmail.com]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_233657212-3708.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Ash dieback, a fungal disease that could eventually kill up to 80% of ash trees across the UK, has seen trees topple in the cemetery and forced many more to be cut down. Marx’s grave is surrounded by ash trees, whereas George Michael’s burial spot lies on ground below ash trees higher up.
![[Highgate cemetery has been the subject of a 18 Million transformation proposal. Pictured: Barbara Walker Shot on 18th Dec 2024. (C) Belinda Jiao 07598931257 www.belindajiao.com jiao.bilin@gmail.com]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_233657392-4930.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
‘If a tree becomes infected and dies, there is only one way it will go and that is down,’ said Chief Executive of Friends of Highgate Cemetery Trust Ian Dungavell. ‘Every one of those trees is at risk of ash dieback. So George’s grave, like every other grave in the vicinity of an ash tree, is potentially at risk.’.
![[Highgate cemetery has been the subject of a 18 Million transformation proposal. Pictured: (L to R) Bean and Janka Shot on 18th Dec 2024. (C) Belinda Jiao 07598931257 www.belindajiao.com jiao.bilin@gmail.com]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_233657416-1775.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Dungavell said that the transformation plans, which were submitted to Camden Council for permission on Monday, were needed to ‘preserve this fantastic heritage asset, and make sure that it is a benefit to the community. ‘Karl Marx would be happy. Our charity is bringing people together to look after a community asset,’ he added.
![[Highgate cemetery has been the subject of a 18 Million transformation proposal. Pictured: (L to R) Sarah Mc Phillips, Michael Mc Phillips, Chris Nelson Shot on 18th Dec 2024. (C) Belinda Jiao 07598931257 www.belindajiao.com jiao.bilin@gmail.com]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_233657394-211a.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
‘The money is redistributed and looked after the whole cemetery for the public benefit.’. The charity’s own funds will cover a majority of the costs for the redevelopment, which will also include a new gardeners’ building and better educational provisions for visitors and school groups.
![[Highgate cemetery has been the subject of a 18 Million transformation proposal. Pictured: (L to R) Krishna and Geert Shot on 18th Dec 2024. (C) Belinda Jiao 07598931257 www.belindajiao.com jiao.bilin@gmail.com]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_233657393-4166.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
