As a lifelong resident of Middleton, my love for my hometown is immeasurable, shared by many others. We find ourselves deeply disturbed by the state of the Boarshaw Crematorium. For years, this facility has served our community, providing a vital dignified final rite for departed loved ones that honours their memory. The current situation, however, is a grievous affront to that memory.

 Boarshaw Crematorium's broken cremator has forced many of us in our time of grief to travel to Rochdale, which is not only an inconvenience but also disconnects us from our local community in these moments of remembrance and mourning. What makes this situation even more distressing is the recent allocation of significant funds to  Rochdale crematorium. Thousands of pounds have been invested in its upkeep, while Boarshaw crematorium, in desperate need of repair, appears to be pushed aside.

This disparity not only undermines the close-knit community spirit that defines Middleton but also limits the residents' choice in respecting their wishes and those of their deceased loved ones. Regrettably, it also raises questions about the local government's ability and willingness to provide equal services for all areas under its jurisdiction.

The time has come for Rochdale Borough Council to address these pressing concerns. We therefore call on it to repair the broken cremator at Boarshaw Crematorium. Our shared sense of community and cherished memories of loved ones laid to rest compel us to ensure that this vital local institution is preserved and accorded the attention and resources it rightly deserves.

Please join us in our effort to restore Boarshaw's Crematorium by signing this petition. Together, we can ensure that every resident has the right to say their final goodbye in a manner of their own choosing.