Snowdrops Photo courtesy of Richard Seely
In early January snowdrops made an appearance in the cemetery and the hawthorn hedge still hadn’t dropped its leaves! The squirrels are dashing about and the birds are ignoring the berries in favour of worms in the still soft soil. Where will it end?
Our thanks to those members who joined us for our final litter pick of 2011. Despite the cold weather we managed to spend and hour and a half in various areas of the cemetery collecting mainly wind blown flower wrappings and artificial flowers. Can we remind everyone again to remove wrapping paper from flowers and secure artificial flowers, as the wind scatters them and we are not able to identify the graves they originated from. Unfortunately some fly tipping had occurred in Broad Lane and a lot of this had blown into the lower end of the cemetery but one of our members worked hard to remove as much as was possible. Our next litter pick will be in March 2012 and we look forward to welcoming you then. Detailed information will appear on this site and our notice boards at either entrance to the cemetery.
Several hundred local residents turned out to hear the choir of St Albans Primary school and welcome Santa in his sleigh to a Christmas community event. The event was organised by New Vision Community Team supported by FBEC, Friends of Jasmin Fields,Friends of the Brandwood Pool, Broad Lane Allotments,Cocks Moors Leisure Centre, The Brandwood Centre, BCC and the local Neighbourhood Policing Team ! Everyone worked together to provide a spectacular evening of entertainment including music from Moonlighting and an outdoor art display by a local community artist. Santa provided gifts for all the children and the Brandwood Centre cooked lots of hot dogs and burgers for the crowd. Children also enjoyed cake decorating and face painting whilst they waited for Santa to arrive.
The Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery joined with members of other local community organisations to support an experimental night time event at Brandwood Pool. Close to 80 people joined a small community choir and musicians around Brandwood Pool which was illuminated by 300 lanterns. Volunteers had decorated most of the jars that held the candles with bright drawings and inspirational words. The event was lead by the Park Ranger service.
Cross of Sacrifice at Brandwood End Cemetery
On Sunday, 13th November, 2011, a short wreath laying service and two minutes silence for the fallen of the two world wars and conflicts since 1945, will take place at the Cross of Sacrifice at 11.00.a.m. Please join us at 10.50am.
‘They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.’
You are warmly welcomed to attend.
Litter in Brandwood End Cemetery
To ensure we have plenty of support we are posting our first Litter Pick of the New Year!
Please put the date in your diary and come along if you can. All you need is sturdy shoes, gloves and suitable outdoor clothing!
We meet at the Lodge at 10.00am and are generally finished by 11.30.
We are in need of all the help we can get to keep the Cemetery looking clean and tidy.
See you there?
FBEC Paver in Kings Heath Village Square
The crowds turned out for the opening of the new Village Square in Kings Heath which lies on land that was formerly part of All Saints Churchyard. The project began a number of years ago after concern by church members that they were becoming remote from the local community. It was decided to open up the area in front of the church, which lies at the centre of Kings Heath high street, to incorporate a village square, health centre and community rooms.
The design of the square is based on a labyrinth and incorporated within it are various art works and texts .There are even some water features which the children obviously enjoy! Members of the public and local groups were asked to purchase ‘pavers’ to help raise funds and Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery have one in place.
The Lord Mayor, Cllr Anita Ward, carried out the official opening and events were interspersed with a choir, a brass quintet, an Eritrean church choir and finally some Morris dancers. The sun shone throughout and everyone took full advantage of all the newly fitted benches to enjoy the entertainment.
Morris Men at new Kings Heath Village Square
Address: 2 Vicarage Road, Kings Heath, Birmingham B14 7RA
Car Parking will be restricted on the day; alternative car parks are available nearby in Silver Street and Institute Road
BUS ROUTES = 50; 11.
Friends of Brandwood Cemetery is run purely by unpaid volunteers and we need your help! Whether you have family laid to rest here, you are an interested local resident or are interested in conservation we need you!
There are a number of ways you can help the Friends and really make a difference to Brandwood End Cemetery. You could donate a couple of hours and help out on our bi-monthly litter picks – it is a great way to meet new people and get some fresh air.
You could become a Friend and in return you will get regular newsletters, updates on project progress, news of events and get the chance to really make a difference.
Download an FBEC Membership Application Form or email friendsofbec@gmail.com and ask for a membership form. The Subscription per annum is only:
Gift Aid
Now that we are a Registered Charity (No 1114333) you may also opt to make your donation under the Gift Aid Scheme, as long as you pay Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax at least equal to the tax that the charity reclaims on your donation in the appropriate tax year (following the last Budget the Chancellor reduced the amount we can claim back from him from 28p to 25p for each £1 you give).
However that still means if you Gift Aid your subscription it becomes worth £7-50 with the government contributing £1-50 to your £6.
No Government gives much away – so why not take advantage of this if you are a Tax Payer? Download your FBEC Gift Aid Declaration Form and submit with your FBEC Membership Application Form:
Thank you!
THIS CEMETERY NEEDS YOU!
Elizabeth Perkins, the new Patron of the Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery
Elizabeth Perkins, Director of the Birmingham Conservation Trust, has graciously accepted an invitation from the Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery’s Committee to become their fifth Patron.
Elizabeth has been associated with FBEC almost since its inception in 2005 and has given a great deal of her time and expertise in supporting the Committee’s endeavours to repair and restore the twin terracotta Victorian Chapels in Brandwood End Cemetery.
Birmingham Conservation Trust is a charity which exists ‘to provide and enhance Birmingham’s threatened architectural heritage and to promote an enjoyment and understanding of the City’s historic buildings.’
With Elizabeth at the helm, Birmingham Conservation Trust’s many successful projects include the Back to Backs and Perrotts Folly.
Their latest sucess has been the recent award of £1m from the Heritage Lottery Fund to restore the 19th century Grade 11 listed Newman Bros. Coffin Works, which is situated in the Jewellery Quarter.
Further information about the Trust and their projects can be obtained from ‘Useful Links’ on this website.
Registered Charity No. 1114333
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