Such a lovely site… maybe in the countryside, but these photos were taken in a garden backing into the Cemetery and the Badgers arrived via the Cemetery.
We have suspected they were around foraging for a while but this is the first photographic evidence.(taken by Will Steer)
Lovely to see but worrying for the Cemetery managers.
Just a timely reminder that, as was recently seen in a cemetery down south, cemeteries are not immune to raging fires in this heat. Brandwood End is tinder dry. Broken glass and shiny objects can concentrate the sun and start fires in this heat. Please take care what you leave near/on your family grave. An empty/broken glass object can be enough to start a fire .
We have noticed the occasional candle in a jar- please dont do this! Animals knock them over. Normally just a broken jar ensues, but at the moment this could cause a serious fire threatening not just the beautiful cemetery but nearby properties.
Please think before you leave any reflective item at this time. Take care and Thankyou.
Bereavements Services Offices have moved over to a centralised telephone and email system.
All calls should now be directed to 0121 216 2000 and emails to bereavement.services@birmingham.gov.uk
FBEC would suggest that, if you are sending an email enquiry, you should include BRANDWOOD END in the subject line.
There are several options when you ring, opening times, genealogy/finding a grave will be directed to www.birminghamburialrecords.co.uk (The grave records service is a chargeable service. This is for burials up to 2015 if after that date it will advise which option to go to. )
We thought members may be interested in these 2 maps. One shows the area of Brandwood End Cemetery as it was before the cemetery existed, but with the cemetery boundaries superimposed. The second shows the existing cemetery with the original 1838 map superimposed. Interesting to see the area of water marked originally on the bottom left of the map near Broad Lane.
I am sorry to say that the Bat Walk that was due to be held on August the 9th has had to be cancelled. We will be trying to get it rescheduled but at the present time Parks are not able to support it. Hopefully Brum Bats can find another acceptable slot. Watch this space and Facebook for updates.
Those of you that follow a series on Chanel 5 called ‘Planes that won the War’ will have seen, in the episode screened on the 1st of July, the story of 8 Air man who lost their lives when their Lancaster crashed into ‘Ben Eighe’, a mountain in Scotland. The crash site was very remote, and still is.
One of those lost, their Navigator, lived very locally and is buried in Brandwood End. We hope to feature his story in the near future, so watch this space.
Should any of his relatives read this, please contact us at friendsofbec@gmail.com as we would love to know more.
We thought we would share with you these photos taken today on a warm summer morning in the Civilian Garden of Remembrance created in 1952 by Birmingham City Council as a memorial to the civilian dead of the 1939-45 war.
The newly restored benches, the mini rose trees and flourishing geranium plants in the four path beds are all examples of the contribution the Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery make to this special place. We can indeed be proud of our efforts.
‘At the going down of the sun, and in the morning;
we will remember them.’
The lovely wild flower planters donated to FBEC by Our Scene CIC are beginning to show plants. We have our fingers crossed but the very hot dry weather has made it hard for the less ‘thuggish’ plants. We really need some decent rain- but so does everyone’s garden !
This first picture popped up in our ‘facebook’ memories. The second picture was taken last week, 11 years on, by our Chairman, Julia. This year is a special anniversary for this garden area…….but more of that later!
