Tag: brandwood pool

If you go down to the cemetery tonight, you are in for a big surprise!!

It’s not very often that you can get into Brandwood End Cemetery at night…..but tonight was the night! Great bat walk from Jasmin Fields to Brandwood Pool via the cemetery. All ages, and many new to the whole walk route, despite being local.

 

Thanks to Chris from Brum Bats and Ranger Dean for giving up their own time for this event. 30+ people, lots of bats and an amazing Tawny Owl made it worth it!

 

We hope that tonight’s adventure encourages people to visit all three sites again and be aware of the amazing natural spaces on their doorsteps.

If, as a result of tonight site visits, we could encourage anyone to be involved in litter picks or work parties to help Ranger Dean keep these sites accessible and welcoming to the public, please   e mail us with your contact details on ‘friendsofbec@gmail.com’ We can then add you to the mailing list or maybe consider joining the ‘Friends’ via this web site.

 

Annual BOSF(Birmingham Open Spaces ) Conference

This years BOSF Conference took on a different look as the two afternoon sessions meant that members had the chance to learn more about, and take part in, different activities carried out in Parks. The morning session involved speakers from several organisations  and also gave delegates the chance of having ‘just a minute’ to champion their own group. The venue this year was also a change from the norm and being held at The Mac in Cannon Hill made it easy for our Chairman and Secretary to attend!

                                  

Afternoon practical sessions varied from learning about the technical equipment that the Tree Officers use to determine the health/stability of a tree to learning about green wood working. Also available were workshops to help with event organisation and health and safety assessment.

BOSF Conferences offer individual Friends groups the chance to get together and network…..as well as offering a hearty lunch and cake !!

Family Hedgehog Event

FBEC joined with Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust and the Park Rangers to organise a family event based around Hedgehogs. Despite on and off rain, nothing distracted all the mums and dads and children from enjoying the activities. Watch this space for news of further events centred around Hedgehogs and Brandwood End Cemetery. Well done Rachel and Jan for keeping the 25+ children and 12+ adults occupied!!  The children spent a lovely afternoon bug hunting and hedgehog habitat spotting as well as drawing or making their own hedgehogs.IMG_0025 (800x600)

 

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Family Hedgehog Event

Half term is nearly here and the Friends of Brandwood End, supported by Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust and the Park Ranger Service and holding a Hedgehog Day during Wild About Gardens week at Brandwood Pool on Tuesday the 27th October from 2-4pm (The pool lies at the bottom of the cemetery site or access via Whittington Close B14 6JW)

hedgehogCome and discover more about these favourite creatures and how to make your garden Hedgehog friendly. Fun for all the family with bug hunting,crafts and lots more!

We also want your views on our proposed project to survey the Cemetery and create improved habitats for Hedgehogs.

Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Bat Walk Reminder!

Explore the night with Brum Bats and the Ranger Service on a Bat walk through Jasmin fields Nature Reserve along the canal, through the cemetery to finish at Brandwood Pool.

Thursday 11th September 7.30-9pm meet at the Farm gate on Bayston Rd, facing Kinsey Grove B14 5AR

All ages welcome but under 16’s must be supervised.You will need to bring a Powerful torch and wear outdoor clothing and sturdy footwear.

Please contact the Ranger Service to book 0121 675 0937 – Spaces are limited so you will need to book in advance.

 

Brandwood Pool Plinth repaired.

For a while now the plinth used by families to feed the ducks at Brandwood Pool has been rotten and not really safe but we are pleased to say it is back in use again. Dean, the Ranger, helped by Wendy and her team of students from Bournville College have redesigned the base and removed all that wood and replaced it with hard core. Lots of baby moor hens, coots and ducks to feed. Keep your eyes peeled for our daily Woodpecker visitor. He likes the large Oak on the far side of the pool.  20140428_141028

 

Brandwood Pool lies adjacent to the Cemetery but walking access is via Whittington Close B14 6JW.

The Friends are always looking for help at work parties and litter picks. They can be contacted on 0121 605 4316.

Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress visit Jasmin Fields

Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery joined other members of New Vision at an ‘Explore Jasmin Fields’ event last Saturday.  A similar event last summer was completely drowned out so we were dismayed when we started to set up in rain and wind! The wind was so strong that one or our gazebos briefly became a kite……but the wind soon dropped and the rain cleared and by starting time we had very acceptable weather.

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We were very pleased that the Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoress came along to open the event and stayed most of the morning. The Ranger Service and the Friends of Jasmin Fields, supported by New Vision, had arranged a circular walk of the nature reserve, pond dipping, cake icing, badge making, bike repairs and advice on security by the Neighbourhood Policing Team. The event gave local groups, including FBEC, the opportunity to make residents more aware of their activities and to enlist members for future events. Everyone agreed to had been a real success and well worth the effort by the volunteers.

If you have an interest in any of the local groups, especially Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery, please contact us via this site and we will add you to our e mail list to be advised of anything happening in our local community group areas. We all need your support at our events and it is so good to see local people interested in any of our sites.

Community Groups work together at local events

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.

Come and see the bats at Brandwood Pool on 3rd September

Please come and join us on Friday 3rd September as ‘Brum Bats’ are hosting a bat evening at Brandwood pool.  Please put this date in your diary.   The time has yet to be confirmed but it will be fairly late in the evening to catch the bat movements. 

We will post more details nearer the time – watch this space!

For more information on Brum Bats >>>>