Author: Jane Edwards

An unusual Remembrance, but never forgotten.

As we approach 11am today can I remind you that we have decided not to hold our usual Service of Remembrance following advice from The Director of Public Heath.

This does not mean that our thoughts are not all collectively on those that were lost as a result of conflicts. Deacon David , who usually leads our Remembrance, will be saying a prayer for everyone and during the day members of organisations will be laying wreaths at the Cross of Sacrifice on the main drive. Please observe the  silence today, or more importantly at 11am on the 11th, where ever you may be.

West Midlands Police were the first to arrive to lay their wreath.  Thank you all and hope to see you all next year.

Remembrance service 2020

Urgent update.

IT IS WITH REGRET THAT THE FRIENDS OF BRANDWOOD END HAVE DECIDED TO CANCEL THE USUAL SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE IN BRANDWOOD END. WE HAD HOPED TO HOLD A SMALLER EVENT BEHIND LOCKED GATES BUT FOLLOWING ADVICE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH FOR BIRMINGHAM, DR JUSTIN VARNEY, WE HAVE DECIDED NOT TO ENCOURAGE A GATHERING OF ANY DESCRIPTION.

OVER THE NEXT WEEK, EACH OF OUR WREATH LAYERS AND ORGANISATIONS HAVE BEEN ASKED TO VISIT INDEPENDENTLY AND PLACE THEIR WREATHS AT THE CROSS OF SACRIFICE SO BY 8th NOVEMBER THEY WILL ALL BE IN PLACE.  PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT ON THAT DAY TO OBSERVE THE 2 MINUTES SILENCE WHERE EVER YOU ARE.

WE WILL BE POSTING PHOTOGRAPHS OF EACH WREATH BEING LAID ON OUR WEB SITE   www.fbec.org.uk

IT WAS WITH HEAVY HEARTS THAT WE MADE THIS DECISION, BUT WE ALL FEEL IT IS IMPORTANT TO TRY AND ADHERE TO LOCKDOWN RESTRICTIONS AND THE ADVICE WE HAVE RECEIVED. WE HOPE WE CAN WELCOME YOU ALL BACK IN 2021.

Confirmation of Opening Times

Please always check the Birmingham City Council site to confirm the information below is up to date as changes can happen with little or no notice.

https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/directory_record/452/brandwood_end_cemetery

 

Due to COVID-19, visitors to cemeteries are reminded that they will still need to practice social distancing inline with government guidelines.
Current opening hours
Days                                           Hours

Monday and Tuesday          2pm to 4pm
Wednesday                             8:30am to 4pm
Thursday and Friday            2pm to 4pm
Saturday and Sunday          10am to 4pm
UNFORTUNATELT, DUE TO ADVICE FROM THE DIRECTOR FOR PUBLIC HEALTH FOR BIRMINGHAM , WE HAVE DECIDED TO CANCEL OUR REMEMBRANCE SERVICE THIS YEAR. WREATHS WILL STILL BE LAID IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS, BUT NOT AS PART OF A SERVICE. 

Broad Lane entrance

Can we confirm that this entrance should always be open at the same time as the main gate. Please advise Bereavement staff at Kings Norton if you find it locked. FBEC have a notice board on the right as you enter and we would ask, that if you predominantly use this entrance, you check this board for any important notices. Our main notice board is facing the Lodge near the main entrance.

CEMETERY OPENING HOURS FROM OCTOBER 25TH

There is an amendment to the opening times we posted originally- the cemetery will close at 4pm at weekends.  This is due to Winter opening times being adopted slightly earlier than usual.

Can we stress that it is always advisable to check the City Council web site as this is the first place that any changes will be shown.  www.birmingham.gov.uk/cemeteries

 

At present the times are :-   Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 2pm – 4pm  Wednesday 8.30am – 4.00pm.  Saturday, Sunday 10am – 4pm.

 

 

New cemetery times from 25th October

REMINDER.  With effect from Sunday 25th October Brandwood End will have revised opening hours.    Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 2pm – 4pm  Wednesday 8.30am – 4.00pm.  Saturday, Sunday 10am – 4pm.   Please can you spread the word. Opening will still be later at 11.30am on Sunday 8th November to allow for a Service and wreath laying . Unfortunate this will NOT be a public event.

 

Friends ‘A’Frame refreshed as Poppy Cross Project gets underway.

When the Friends and volunteers are working in the cemetery we usually display our  ‘A’ Frame so you know that the people in High Viz are us, and not Council workers.

Yesterday we began our Poppy Cross placing project and used a new poster on our ‘A’ Frame. We have Gary Staples to thank for the marvellous shot of the chapels and we thought his photo deserved to be seen more often!

Please watch out for us over the next week or two as we place the 352 poppy crosses on the graves of those lost in conflicts and buried, or remembered in family grave, in Brandwood End.

Saturday’s efforts were undertaken by the Colmey Family, Kerry Tinkler, Lisa Fair, Julia Griffin and myself. Very theraputic, enjoyable and rewarding! Sunday’s  team include Coral and Andrew Howard and Monday we are assisted by Damian Tierney, Gail Pittaway, Carmel Fitzpatrick and Philip Brown.

Thank you to everyone else that asked if they could help but this year we had lots of offers of assistance, which makes this project all the easier to complete. So far everyone who has helped has wanted to come back the following year, so we are trying to introduce a few new volunteers every year to develop a team we can call on for the future. Thank you all again.