Author: Jane Edwards

Jasmin Fields Nature Reserve appeals to dog owners.

Can we remind everyone that the very local Jasmin Fields Nature Reserve is a haven for wildlife and welcomes dog walkers- but one of the volunteers, Pat, drew the lovely poster below. It is just a reminder that, as a dog owner, you have a responsibility to clear up behind your pooch.

Can we also remind everyone that you should be prepared to ‘leave no trace’ if you visit the Cemetery, Jasmin Fields or any other green open space. Please remove your rubbish. Take it home ! Bins are often overwhelmed so be prepared ! Can we also remind you to remove any flower wrapping paper if leaving flowers at a loved ones grave, as the paper helps the flowers blow from the grave in high winds.

NEW CHANGES TO SUMMER OPENING TIMES FROM 29TH MARCH

The opening times for the cemetery change on March 29th to allow for British Summer Time. Opening during the week is also slightly later to allow for funerals, as these can only take place when the cemetery is closed. It is always advisable to check with the official BCC site at :

Brandwood End cemetery | Birmingham City Council

Monday and Wednesday 8:30am to 7:30pm
Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 3:30pm to 7:30pm
Saturday and Sunday 10am to 5pm

The ‘eyes’ of the chapels are restored !

Anyone visiting the cemetery in the next few days will see some fantastic work being undertaken. After many years the boards on the windows are being removed and replaced with reinforced Perspex, thus exposing the fantastic terracotta trace work and allowing light into the interior space.

An unexpected effect is that the magnificent trees surrounding the building are reflected out again from the glass creating a magical vision.

Our thanks to Bereavement Services for facilitating this and the contractors for their care installing the Perspex-  as great thought has gone into the best way to fix this!

 

 

March Litter Pick Cancelled

I am afraid that we have had to cancel our March Litter Pick due to Covid restrictions.*

We will be back in June, on the 6th, as part of the ‘late’ Great British Spring Clean but in the meantime can we ask all our followers, who visit the cemetery, to remove any litter they see into the bins on site, as this will greatly help us and Ground Staff to keep Brandwood End looking spic and span.

Can we remind you that most of the litter that we find consists of windblown flower paper or badly secured artificial flower displays. If you leave flowers please remove the paper, and check that all displays are well secured, as once items blows from a grave we have no idea where they belong!  This week there is a lot of this type of litter on the boundary areas so if you see litter, please pop it in the bin. at any time, but especially during these strange times, do remember to use a litter picker if possible and always wear gloves.

  • We are a member of BOSF and under present regulations our community insurance would be invalid if we held our normal Litter Pick during Covid restrictions.

 

Please avoid driving on the verges!

You can see, from the photograph above, that driving on the verges causes lots of often irreversible damage. There is no excuse! We know the avenues are narrow but the whole road system is a grid. If there is a parked car just use the next avenue and approach from the other end…..or reverse!  If this continues then restricted vehicle access to these side avenues may be the only answer available to Bereavement staff to prevent such mindless damage, and no one wants that.