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.
As we draw to a close with our Poppy Cross Project it is time to remember those buried in the lawned public grave areas near the Cross of sacrifice. Those who lost their lives due to enemy action but have no individual graves are listed on the 2 screen walls facing the Cross of Sacrifice. One cross for each name.
Our thanks to Bereavement Service staff who have produced a lovely plaque to mark the first grave following the opening of Brandwood End in 1899. The Friends had marked this spot with a temporary interpretation notice but it now has a lovely official plaque.
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.
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.
Please read the whole of this post as it is a reminder that in these strange times we need to support the work of the Royal British Legion. Poppy sales in some venues will possibly be limited due to social distancing.
POPPIES
Why are they selling poppies, mother? Selling poppies in town today?
The Poppy, my child, is the flower of love for the men, who marched away.
Why did they choose a poppy, mother? Why not a beautiful rose?
Because, my child, men fought and died in the fields, where the poppy grows.
But why is the poppy so red?
Red is the colour of blood, my child, the blood that our soldiers shed.
The heart of the poppy is black mother. Why does it have to be black?
Black is the symbol of grief, my child, for the men, who never came back.
But why, mother dear, are you crying so? Your tears are like winter rain.
My tears are my fears for you, my child, for the world is forgetting again.
The Somme, Dunkirk, Malaya, Northern Ireland, The Falklands, Iraq, Afghanistan . . . . .
Wherever the conflict is, our service men and women and their families, deserve our support via the Royal British Legion Poppy Collecting Tins?
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 – 5pm. 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.
Couldn’t resist these beautiful trees !
At last we have managed to get new acrylic and a new backboard so we have been able to refurbish our very tired Notice board on the main drive. All looking good now. (It had done us proud for years)
