I have just returned from one of my regular visits to Malta to visit the grave of my father who is buried in Ta' Braxia cemetery. I have been doing so since 1959 when I was fortunate enough to do part of my National Service in the Royal Marines at St Andrews Barracks (now Pembroke).

My father was a Master Mariner who served on the Malta convoys during WWII and died at sea 100 miles east of Malta in 1952. His wish was to be buried at sea, but this was impossible at the time and the decision was made to inter him at the then English cemetery, Ta' Braxia.

Up to the 1990s I was always impressed with the upkeep of the cemetery and made a point of seeking out and talking to John Mizzi who took great pride in maintaining the cemetery in pristine condition. However, over the last few years there has been a steady deterioration of the standard of upkeep, dating from Mr Mizzi's death 14 years ago, which has resulted in the current unkempt and uncared for conditions which now prevail. The general impression is of a wilderness or a building site. An ugly skip, full of rubbish, blocks one of the paths inside the cemetery and broken trunks of trees have been left where they fell.

The paths are damaged and covered in grass and weeds and bushes grow between the graves, threatening to displace the headstones and actually eroding the inscriptions through wind action. On my last, but one visit, my brother and I had to enamel paint the inscription on the grave because of this.

The final disappointment on my last trip which ended on December 3 was that I could not gain access to the cemetery as the gates were padlocked. This, despite the fact that the notice on the gates clearly stated that they should be open at that time.

I was unable to pay my final respects at my father's graveside as I was flying back to the UK that evening.

Which esteemed body is responsible for the current state of affairs at Ta' Braxia and why have they allowed the cemetery to fall into such a disgraceful state?

At my age I may not be able to get to Malta many more times but I would hope that this decline in standards can be halted and the cemetery restored to a more fitting state for those buried there and those who visit to pay their respects.

The photo is from my visit. Need I say more?!