Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery | Restoration, conservation and respectful enjoyment of Brandwood End Cemetery and Chapels

First lady Patron

Posted on August 16, 2011 by Anne Courbet

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.

Posted in News | Tagged chapels, Elizabeth Perkins, fbec, patron | Leave a comment

A day at the market!

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Jane Edwards

Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery at Kings Norton Farmers Market

Members of FBEC Committee manned a stall at the recent monthly Kings Norton Farmers Market to promote much needed membership of The Friends.

Surrounded by scrumptious food of all descriptions it was great to meet people who were interested in Brandwood Cemetery and those that weren’t even aware of this incredibly beautiful open space.

The weather was kind and the event really helped the Friends raise awareness of this beautiful Cemetery.

Posted in News | Tagged brandwood end cemetery, environment, farmers market, fbec | 2 Comments

Grave search ends in Brandwood End

Posted on June 24, 2011 by Jane Edwards

Brandwood End Cemetery made the news this week as the grand daughter of P J Evans searched the country for his grave…..and guess where she found it? Brandwood End Cemetery!

The P J Evans name was well known to Brummies and associated with the motor trade but did you know that Percy J Evans won the Isle of Man TT Race? In 1911 two races were held on the Mountain course. The Junior was won by P J Evans on a Humber at 41.45 mph and the Senior by Oliver Godfrey on an Indian at 47.63 mph. Evans set the fastest lap in his race at 42.00 mph and Frank Phillips (Scott) the fastest Senior at 50.11 mph.

A replica of the TT trophy originally adorned his memorial stone but over the years this has gone missing. Does anyone out there have any idea where it went?

Posted in News | Tagged fbec, grave search, remembrance | Leave a comment

Alistair McGowan becomes a Patron of the Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery

Posted on June 14, 2011 by Anne Courbet

Alistair McGowan becomes Patron of Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery

Multi-faceted, an acute environmentalist, a rich heritage spanning many centuries and a thorough gentleman; Alistair represents all this and much more. He has now, we are extremely happy and proud to say, agreed to be the fourth Patron of the Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery (FBEC).

Amongst Alistair’s lineage, there are thirty plus family linked members interred at Brandwood End Cemetery and this together with the 1700 plus ‘Brandwood End’ trees and Alistair’s existing patronage with ‘Trees for Cities’, provides an ideal backdrop to Alistair’s new FBEC patronage.

Posted in News | Tagged Alistair McGowan, brandwood end cemetery, patron, tree walk, trees | 2 Comments

Looking for wildlife?

Posted on May 30, 2011 by Sarah Courbet

Since we posted sightings of muntjac deer, bats and other wildlife there have been several visitors coming along to find these lovely animals. Please note that the Cemetery is there for people to pay their respects to those that have passed on, and to enjoy some quiet moments reflection. The Cemetery is ideal, because it is so quiet, for wildlife to enjoy the natural environment BUT they are not there our pleasure. Please do not ask the staff where they can be found; even if they knew, most creatures only come out at night when the Cemetery is closed and the people have gone home. Please respect the Cemetery, it’s wildlife inhabitants, the staff and other visitors. Many thanks.

Posted in News | Tagged wildlife | 1 Comment

Are you after information on lost graves?

Posted on May 30, 2011 by Sarah Courbet

The ground staff at Brandwood End Cemetery are constantly being asked to help people find graves – much as they would like to help they really can’t. They don’t have the information. Since the Lodge was flooded some months ago the office for Brandwood End Cemetery has moved to Kings Norton. But here is some information which may help >>

Or if you want to contact the Office there details can be found here >>

Posted in News | Tagged grave search | Leave a comment

Carver at work at Jasmin Fields!

Posted on May 14, 2011 by Jane Edwards

Carvings on an old tree at Jasmin Fields Nature Reserve taken from designs by children from St Albans School.

Posted in News | Tagged Jasmin Fields | Leave a comment

Annual AGM

Posted on May 14, 2011 by Jane Edwards

On April 14th we held our annual AGM which was attended by a number of our local members. After the formal meeting Jim Thomson,Director of Teleshore (UK Ltd), gave a short talk about memorial safety and he was accompanied by Richard Smith of Memsafe.

The Elected Officers for the coming year are:

Chairman:            Anne Courbet
Vice Chairman:   Barrie Simpson
Treasurer:           Julian Pritchard
Secretary:           Jane Edwards

A copy of our annual report will follow soon. Why not subscribe to this page to get automatic updates?

Posted in News | Tagged agm | Leave a comment

Memorial Headstones

Posted on May 11, 2011 by Anne Courbet

The Committee of the Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery are proposing to organise the restoration of certain headstones.

Posted in News | Tagged Headstones, restoration | Leave a comment

Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery AGM – 14th April 2011

Posted on March 29, 2011 by Sarah Courbet

You are invited to the AGM of the Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery which is to be held on Thursday 14th April 2011 from 7.30 to 9.00pm at St Bede’s Church, Doversley Road, Kings Heath. Light refreshments will be available.

Following the formal meeting Jim Thomson, Director of Teleshore (UK) Ltd will give a short talk about memorial safety and he will be accompanied by Richard Smith of Memsafe.

All are welcome but please note only members are eligible to vote.

And if you haven’t paid your annual subscription we would be happy to take this on the evening.

We look forward to seeing you there!