They’re lazy, noisy escape artists but four new cemetery workers have properly won people’s hearts

An unconventional quartet of workers tasked with keeping a cemetery looking neat and tidy have become local celebrities

Lois McCarthy 16:37, 17 Mar 2026Updated 17:10, 17 Mar 2026

Founder of Port Talbot Funeral services, Malcolm Evans, decided to introduce something a little unconventional to the churchyard(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne)

From a distance, the cemetery of Holy Cross Church in Port Talbot[1] looks unassuming. Nestled in the shadow of the nearly 200-year-old building, known locally as the "Chapel of Ease," the graveyard might easily be overlooked - a sombre sight as you pass over the M4[2] motorway flyover.

But pause for a few minutes, and you'll discover some unusual visitors weaving among the gravestones, bringing a spark of life to the otherwise quiet grounds.

Meet Eddie, Summer, Emily, and Father Ben - the newest residents of Holy Cross Church's graveyard.

These four goats were brought in by the team at Port Talbot Funeral Directors, a family-run business founded by local resident Malcolm Evans. Stay informed on everything Neath Port Talbot by signing up to our newsletter here[3]

The business began five years ago and has called Holy Cross Church home ever since. For Chris Tobin, who helps out at the business alongside his sister and her husband Nick, the arrival of the goats is just another way of bringing warmth and light to a place so often associated with loss.

"We wanted to do something meaningful for the community.

Holy Cross Church isn't just a building - it's a place full of history, memories, and stories. And now, the goats help bring a new energy to the grounds," said Chris.

Meet the goats who are helping maintain Holy Cross cemetery(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne)

Though the graveyard remains under the care of the Church in Wales, the funeral directors work alongside the organisation to preserve it. Many graves are almost 200 years old, and parts of the grounds have become overgrown.

"Maintaining a historic cemetery is never simple," Chris explained. "It has to be done with care and respect, but we're proud to help keep it looking its best for the families who visit."

To care for a space like this, the team knew they needed to think differently.

That is where the goats came in. Rather than relying on constant cutting, they introduced Eddie, Summer, Emily and Father Ben as a natural way to manage overgrowth. With their appetite for brambles and thick vegetation, goats are well suited to areas that are difficult to reach.

"Malcolm was originally going to rent them, but we ended up buying them about four weeks ago," Chris said. "At first, it was just about keeping the grass down and having a bit of company up here."

The goats were brought down from Crynant, a quiet spot in the valley and a world away from the steady hum of traffic around Holy Cross Church.

Nick Evans pictured with the resident goats(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne)

"It was completely silent up there," Chris said. "So when we brought them here, we kept them in their pen for a couple of days to get them used to the noise from the motorway."

It did not take long for them to settle in. "In the spring and summer, we keep the doors open and they wander in and out of the office.

You'll find them standing next to you while you're on the computer or just sitting nearby. They've become a proper part of this place."

For Chris, the connection has become personal. "Since we've had them, I've taken it on myself to look after them," he said. "I'm here every morning at six. I feed them and then sit with them for a while.

I did a lot of research on how to bond with them and earn their trust.

"Now, when I come through the gate, they see me straight away and start to make a fuss."

Of course, the goats have not taken their role entirely seriously.

"We've got a lot of brambles here and fair play, they were getting through everything at first," Chris said. "But now people are bringing them carrots and apples, and they've started getting a bit lazy."

"Some of them just lie down all day. I'm thinking, this isn't ideal," he added with a laugh.

Chris Tobin said the goats had left their mark on the community(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne)

They have also shown a more adventurous side. "One Saturday, they escaped," he said. "They ran down the corner of the graveyard, jumped the wall, and ended up on the roundabout by the M4."

It's the kind of story that now raises a smile, but led to a practical solution. The team introduced GPS tracking collars, creating a virtual boundary that allows the goats to roam while keeping them safe.

As they approach the edge, the collars emit a gentle warning sound to guide them back.

But despite the occasional escape and lazy afternoon, the goats have made a lasting impression. A simple idea has grown into something much bigger, drawing visitors and lifting the atmosphere.

"The reaction from the community has been phenomenal," Chris said. "Everyone loves them. There hasn't been a single complaint.

It's all been positive."

The team say the goats are here to stay(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne)

Even the neighbours have taken it in good spirits. "One woman came over laughing and said: 'These goats keep me up at night.' I asked what she meant, and she said they're out there bleating away, but then she smiled and said, 'They're so cute, I don't mind.' She said they're a fabulous addition."

The goats have even been known to stop traffic. "I've had calls from people saying they'd spotted them near the wall, and cars were slowing down to look.

People are taking photos.

They've become little local celebrities."

For Chris, their impact is simple. "They've become part of the place - our family," he said. "And we're happy, really happy, we've got them."

References

1. ^ Port Talbot (www.walesonline.co.uk)
2. ^ the M4 (www.walesonline.co.uk)
3. ^ our newsletter here (www.walesonline.co.uk)