Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery

Hobbits and crafts!

Jane Edwards — Mon, 13 May 2013 12:25:43 +0000

The New Vision Community Board made its first appearance off site at the Middle Earth Weekend at the Shire Country Park (Sarehole Mill). Many people stopped to ask questions about the Brandwood End Cemetery and we hope, as a result we will see some new members to our already growing group. Please do think about joining The Friends (There is information on how to do this on our site). There is always strength in numbers and more members lead to more ideas as to how we can work with BCC to retain and improve the quality of this magical cemetery site.

Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery – AGM

Jane Edwards — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 21:13:15 +0000

FBEC held their AGM this evening at the Brandwood Centre. Unfortunately attendance was low but the evening was rounded off by a very interesting talk by the Reverend Douglas Wilkes on the Cemeteries of the Jewellery Quarter.
Neville Summerfield proposed a vote of thanks to Anne Courbet, who has been involved with FBEC since its inception and was currently serving as Chairman. Anne announced her intention to step down from her role and also from the committee but will continue to support FBEC and its future projects.
The elected committee members names, committee officers details and annual accounts will be displayed on this site following the first committee meeting on 1st May.

Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery – come and meet us at our AGM

Sarah Courbet — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 21:11:40 +0000

Our Annual General Meeting will take place on Thursday 11th April 2013 starting at 7.30pm prompt at The Brandwood Centre – you are most welcome to come and join us. Come and meet the committee; find out what we have been up to this year and perhaps get involved. Everyone is welcome – only paid up members have the right to vote though. Tea and coffee will be provided for you to enjoy.

We hope to see you there!

Can you help keep our Cemetery clean and tidy? Yes you can, in just 90 minutes!

Jane Edwards — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 16:48:22 +0000

OUR NEXT LITTER PICK WILL BE SATURDAY 2ND MARCH

The Friends carry out four litter picks each year and we really need your help to keep the Cemetery tidy for family and visitors. You don’t have to be a member just willing to help out for 90 minutes. Litter pickers and bags are provided! 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. If you can’t make March then these are our other dates:

Sunday 2nd June 2013
Saturday 7th September 2013
Sunday 1st December 2013

See you there?

Gates to Brandwood End Cemetery repainted

Jane Edwards — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 17:07:05 +0000

How many of us walk though the Woodthorpe Road entrance to the Cemetery and never look at the gates? Well, until recently they didn’t really warrant a second glance….but now they are newly painted we think you will agree they are magnificent!

Local children produce their drawings of Brandwood End Cemetery!

Jane Edwards — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 17:01:11 +0000

Just prior to Christmas 2012 New Vision Community Group were part of the Christmas Fayre at St Albans School. FBEC, as members of this group, ran a small competition for the pupils to draw what they saw and liked within Brandwood End Cemetery. These are the three prize winners.

This beautiful drawing of our Chapels was produced by Nancy McAndrew, who is 10 years old.

Maisey Cox, aged 9, has captured the avenues of trees that make Brandwood End cemetery so beautiful.

Our final winner is just 5! Roman Addy has managed to pack so many things into his picture. Foxes, trees, angels, grave stones, mushrooms….and even a cat he saw!

Full marks for observation.

Each of the three winners will receive a prize of some items to use for their future artistic endeavours and their efforts will be displayed on our notice boards as well as here on our site.

We would like to thank them for taking the time to enter our competition.

Brandwood End Cemetery gates get a facelift

Jane Edwards — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 16:39:45 +0000

Many of us with an interest in Brandwood End Cemetery have been waiting for some time for improvements to be carried out to the gates at both entrances. We are pleased to report that both gates have now been repainted and look fresh and cared for. These gates are large and intricate and the preparation and repainting must have represented a major task. Our thanks go to Bereavements Department who have facilitated this.

Adverse weather causes damage to trees.

Jane Edwards — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 16:27:41 +0000

Sadly high winds and recent snow fall contributed to one of the Corsican Pine Trees on the main drive in the Cemetery being uprooted. Luckily the tree fell away from the main drive area but did damage an adjacent Deodar Cedar as it fell removing branches from one side. Work is being undertaken to remove the trunk but as you will see from the photograph this was a very large tree.

Community Christmas Fayre

Jane Edwards — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 12:21:37 +0000

Members of FBEC will be at St Albans Catholic Primary School PTA Christmas Fayre on Friday the 14th December. The event will run from 3.15pm till 5pm at the school in Bayston Road and FBEC will be promoting membership of The Friends and encouraging local people to visit the site and take our Tree Walk.

This event is supported by New Vision, who aim to bring together voluntary groups in the area and increase each individual group’s membership by promoting community awareness.

Father Christmas will be arriving on site at about 3.30pm.

Diamond Woodland Planting Event

Jane Edwards — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 12:28:45 +0000

Children from St Albans Catholic Primary school joined members of FBEC, Bereavements Department staff and the BCC Woodland Management team in a joint project to plant 23 colourful and interesting trees within Brandwood End Cemetery. An area of land adjacent to the main drive has been selected to create a ‘Diamond Woodland’ to enhance the entrance and also surround a future ashes burial area. We were lucky with the weather, which was just as well, as the children had a strenuous task which they set to with vigour. St Albans have supported us in previous projects and can always be relied upon to work hard on site. Penny Smith represented BCC and, with the aid of some pupils, cut the opening ribbon. Everyone enjoyed the event and we would urge those of you who visit the cemetery to look to your left as you enter to see the fruits of our labour! They will undoubtedly produce some beautiful colour in years to come.