Author: Jane Edwards

Civilian Garden looks glorious in the sunshine today.

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.’

Armed Forces Day

Today is a chance to value the work our Armed Forces do. Fighting and peace keeping, emergency aid and pushing back the frontiers of medical science. Remember as well that many of those engaged in all of the above are Reservists.

  • Above is a photograph of 202 Field Hospital members on one of their annual visits to the cemetery to help the Friends with removed of trees and shrubs making some military graves inaccessible. Our thought today are focused on them and their various deployments around the world.

Shout out for help at Jasmin Fields.

Jasmin Fields Nature reserve lies just across Broad Lane from the Cemetery and we try and support each other when we can. The Chinnbrook runs through their site and along with wetland comes Himalayan Balsam- a pretty but invasive plant.

This Sunday the 19th June at 2pm there will be a work party to help remove as much as we can. Thankfully it is easy to remove and the only kit required is stout footwear….and gloves.

Meet at the Farm gate in Bayston Avenue facing Kinsey Grove

ove. 

Nesting birds are our first concern.

Its the time of year when our Civilian Garden hedge starts to look a lot like no one cares for it ! We do care for this very successful Hawthorn hedge and normally it is kept trim, but during nesting season every year DEFRA outlaw the cutting of hedges that may disturb nesting birds.  Our hedge is full of small nests and ‘little brown birds’ and if you sit quietly on one of our benches you will see them scurrying in and out.

The Garden is still cared for and some of our supporters have been busy elsewhere in the garden weeding beds and paths and planting Geraniums in our Rose beds. Our thanks to all concerned.

 

 

Commonwealth War Grave area progresses.

Those of you that follow our posts will know that several months ago the Commonwealth War Graves Commission  re laid new turf in a small War Grave area adjacent to the main drive. This area is home to 8 of our 352 War Graves. Why these 8 are here together no one seems to know. Bereavements are mystified and so are the CWGC. The refreshing of this area has continued with the grass now lush and  the addition of new perennial flowers at the foot of each stone. Looking good.

Heritage Forum meeting.

The Friends are members of the Heritage Forum and often our meetings are at member organisation sites.

  • Today we met at New Hall Mill in Sutton Coldfield. Their volunteers made us all very welcome and we were treated to a private tour of this amazing site. Watch out for their open days as it is certainly worth visiting.