Hi all

As always a big thanks to our signers, supporters and donators - you are invaluable!

Please keep sharing - we do as yet have smaller numbers of signers (we don't know about shares) than the other petiton but we have had more signers than them this week and our petition continues to be noticed and supported.

We are not perturbed by having less signatures (yet) for as stated (and then explained) before some people may feel intimidated to sign so whilst the support may be there it is hidden. Also our petition is not attached to a very well known publicly tragic death so will not garner the same shares and publicity and may not be supported by people who may wish to support a person rather than be focused on the issue of the rules being changed - there has been a lot of confusion re our petition which is aimed at opposing the proposed rules changes and some people stating they feel we are against a person (which we're not). Please keep sharing and signing.

Alongside sharing and signing we do have an additional small request to our supporters. Whilst we understand this is a very sensitive subject for everyone and we feel at times the other side may appear to make extreme comments and accusations we'd ask that our supporters remain courteous and polite. We understand you may feel very passionate (as we ourselves do) but there are different ways of expressing this and we don't want to give the other petition ammunition to try to ruin our petition especially through character. The other petition have already suggested they will share one strongly worded comment made by a supporter and that it's a "great advert" for us - although we appreciate the supporter's support for us it does have the potential to make us look bad and for people to be distracted by the matter at hand - the petiton to change cemetery rules. We pride ourselves on politely and respectfully giving information and facts and asking questions to recieve information from officials and the other petiton whilst also clarifying points the other petition makes about ours - apart from being good manners we feel it honours those we have lost. 

If you have concerns about the petitioned rule changes please please air them but please do so respectfully.

Please also share any information you want to share on social media and get in contact with your local counsellor if you have worries. Whilst the petiton to change rules may be mainly focused on one cemetery there are 43 cemetries across the city under council care which would come under any rule changes so you may be potentially affected even if you do not live in the area where the petition appears to be focused.

Here is a list of local councillors so you can find the ones relevant to your area:

https://democracy.edinburgh.gov.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx?FN=WARD&VW=LIST&PIC=0

We would obviously like to offer help to people ourselves beside this petition and to share your information here but as stated we wish to keep our identity private especially in light of a message a supporter recieved the other day but you can contact us through nextdoor by leaving a message for us at the link below or by clicking on our logo and connecting with us. You can also share your view directly to this petition in the reasons for signing section. Please note any abusive or unfactual messages will be kept and if need be reported and possibly forwarded to relevent authorities.

https://nextdoor.co.uk/p/5m978BhL2HR2?view=detail

With this in mind we have been assisting a supporter to write to counsellors, MPs and MSPs in relation to their concerns re rules changes. As stated yesterday we didn't think MSPs or MPs could decide on council matters but they were worried as the other petition stated they had contacted MSPs and MPs and stated they were getting some kind of support so the person wanted to contact any official who might be involved.

The person has a diagnosed anxiety disorder and is extremely anxious re the proposed rule changes. They did contact officials when the other petition first came out but were further worried and stressed after the update from yesterday's petition which suggested the petiton might actually be being taken forward.

They stated they were worried if the petitioned rule changes happened they would no longer be able to visit their loved ones with their dog and indeed feel very anxious doing so just now in case they hear any arguments - as we know happens in the cemetery. For fairness we did assure them that the petitioned rules have a statement that mourners will be excempt but they stated they were worried people would approach them and ask them why they were in the cemetery with a dog and maybe even shout at them - their anxiety is such that strangers approaching them can cause them extreme distress.

We offerred them reassurance where we could and encouraged them to speak to officials and air their concerns as they have done previously. They were worried about being identified and being  contacted like one of our supporters has been. They said that when they previously contacted officials although they got some replies, enough to alleviate their worries, they thought counsellors maybe couldn't reply to them if they were anonymous.  We assisted them with who they could write to and how to state their details so that they could recieve a reply but remain anonymous.

They have had some replies which have helped alleviate their worries to some degree and we hope to share more information if possible in upcoming updates. 

With this in mind we would like to state that we have had further confirmation that the Council decide on council matters which is what cemetery rules come under whilst MSPs amd MPs do not decide on council rules but may offer assistance to set up meetings.