The cemetery at Pinder’s Point before the clean-up.

THE Pinder’s Point Public Cemetery was given a much-needed clean up thanks to the financial contributions of two Grand Bahama businessmen with close ties to the community.

The graveyard, which falls under the purview of local government, was inundated with overgrown trees and bushes covering the graves.

Shuffel Hepburn, of Subway Restaurant, and Berthram Pinder, of Russell’s and Pinder’s Funeral Home, came together and decided to fund the clean up and beautification of the cemetery.

Ann Russell, chairman of the Pinder’s Point Township, explained that lack of local government funding prevents them from cleaning and maintaining the cemetery on a monthly basis as they would like.

“We are responsible for the upkeep of cemeteries, but due to lack of funding we have to do it every other month. And when it rains, the trees and grass grow fast and overtake the grounds,” she said.

She thanked Mr. Pinder and Mr. Hepburn for their assistance.

“We are very grateful to them for what they have done and my goal is to work together to keep the cemeteries in good condition,” she said.

Mr. Hepburn said he decided to do something after going to the cemetery to visit his mother’s grave.

“I would come and visit my mother’s grave and you had to wade through grass and bush, and one day I decided I would approach Mr. Pinder and see how we could assist,” he said.

“I got a lot of family buried here; my brother, grandfather, and also my first cousin. When you come to see your loved ones you want to have a better experience and so now it is a little bit better, but still not where we would like to be with it.”

Mr. Pinder, who is a native of Pinder’s Point, said the cemetery has been in the community since its existence. He said the management of Russell’s and Pinder’s Funeral Home was pleased to assist financially with the cleanup and beautification.

He commended Mr. Hepburn for pledging his commitment to the continued maintenance of the graveyard.

“The cemetery was in really bad shape, and there is still more work that needs to be done. The residents are very grateful to Mr. Hepburn and Subway International for their financial contribution for the beautification of the cemetery,” he said.

By Denise Maycock, Tribune Freeport Reporter

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