Author: Jane Edwards

Local Reservists help clear graves and lay crosses in Cemetery

Brandwood End had a two hour blitz today as local Army personnel gave their time to uncover several War Graves within the cemetery that were completely hidden in the shrubbery.

Under this out of control laurel lie 2 War Graves….but not for long! Hard work and much removal of branches uncovered these graves.

Several other areas were cleared and also Poppy Crosses were placed on CWWGC Graves and our Screen Walls.

Such a worthwhile morning. Our thanks go to you all again for your hard work and your Commanding Officer Major Gareth Cole for arranging all of this. Lots more photos via this link.

Poppy Cross for every War Grave

The Friends have now started their annual project to place a Poppy Cross on every War Grave in the cemetery. Some are easily spotted as they have CWWGC headstone, all of which have an identical profile.

This photo shows one of our members highlighting a Labour Corps grave as part of a national project to remember lesser known groups of combatants.

We have 350+ Poppies to place and the bulk of them are not as easily found as they are remembered in family graves.

Today we were assisted by committee members and family supporters but our special thanks to members of BARRA who worked on one of the hardest sections- as the area was very uneven and deep in leaves! http://www.birminghamairraids.co.uk/

Our thanks to those that have come along to help us this year. Their input has made such a difference and we are well on the way to completing this task in time for Remembrance Sunday. So far the weather has been kind ! Please do    consider joining The Friends, local Councillors, Neighbourhood Police Officers, The Royal British Legion and many others organisations at our Service of Remembrance on Sunday November 11th, (10.50am)

Blessing of the graves at Brandwood End Cemetery

On Sunday the 4th November, Brandwood End Cemetery will be crowded with people attending the Blessing of the Graves. PLEASE WALK INTO THE CEMETERY if at all possible as the number of cars mean that there is nowhere to park. Staff must keep the main drive free of parked cars (as far as the chapels) for safety reasons and also to allow access to Clergy.

Please don’t be one of the people that argue with them and demand that ‘you’ are the exception!

Great British Spring Clean Results!!

A big thank you to all our supporters who turned out to help at our litter pick today, especially local Councillors and staff from Idverde (who came complete with a truck to remove the 27 bags of litter we collected).

After 90 minutes we had collected a surprising amount of litter, mainly from the edges of the cemetery and sadly a fair bit of it had been thrown over garden fences from adjacent houses!

If your garden backs onto Brandwood End Cemetery please DO NOT throw your disguarded Christmas trees, building waste and soiled nappies over your fence into our beautiful cemetery. It is not pleasant having to collect your waste……but collect it, we did!

Well done everyone!!