Author: Jane Edwards

Remembrance Service 2022

What an amazing turn out we had today for this annual Remembrance Service. Our new Bugler did us proud and so did the Flag Bearers from all three sections of 148th St Dunstans Scout Group. We were privileged to have an increased number of organisations laying wreaths this year.

  • Local area City Councillor
  • BCC Cemetery Staff
  • West Midlands Police Local Neighbourhood Team
  • West Midlands Fire Service Heritage Group
  • A representative of the local Freemasons Lodge
  • The Gallipoli Association
  • Representatives of the local Mercian Regiment
  • Representative of the Catholic Womens League
  • FBEC
  • Representatives of 148th St Dunstans Scouts, Cubs and Beavers.

This link will take you to our photo album, where I have tried to incorporate all the photographs shared to our ‘facebook’ page by those who attended, as I know many of you won’t have access to these.  I have also included a few below.

Despite this being a solemn occasion, there was great interest after the service in the helmet of one of our wreath layers!

Our thanks to everyone that attended, especially to those that travelled a distance.

 

‘Planters’ get ready for the Winter.

You may remember that the Friends were lucky enough to receive 3 community made planters complete with Wildflowers that we positioned near the Lodge and notice boards. We did get some wildflowers but were disappointed with the display.

A small team of volunteers have taken over the maintenance of these planters and today they were all emptied of the unsuitable soil and refilled with a better quality compost. (Not an easy job)

They are now ready for their Winter planting, so keep an eye out to see what appears. Our thanks again to Brightening Brandwood for providing the planters.

Last tidy up of 2022

Those of you that follow FBEC and the cemetery will know that we have been waging war on the advancing areas of Holly, Ivy and general shrubbery that got a strong hold in the cemetery during Covid. Last months tidy up was very successful so we are trying to squeeze a final assault before Winter sets in. Most of this clearance must be done now as the Spring heralds the nesting season and we want to leave shrubbery, especially Ivy, undisturbed. Pop in for as long as you like and give a hand. Stout footwear and gloves if possible. Bring your own tools if you wish but we have loppers and other items.

The Holly and the Ivy !

A few weeks ago Josie Wall, and the Friends, put a shout out for help to remove acres of Holly that were taking over many areas of the cemetery- especially the main drive. Little did we know that 20+ people would turn up and spent hours clearing such a mountain of Holly and some Ivy !. Josie is showing the scale of one of the two piles volunteers removed.

The effect was obvious after 30 minutes, but 3 hours later it was amazing. The photograph above is a before. The one below is the same space afterwards.

 

Thank you all, The community stands up and shows its commitment yet again. We hope to do this again in November, which will probably be our last chance this side of Christmas. Watch this space.