Author: Jane Edwards

Lets have your photos of Brandwood End Cemetery.

This is a time when we will not be able to bring you much news about the cemetery or any up to date photos, due to its closure due to Covid19  BUT we would like to ask you all to help us fill the void.

If you think you have any interesting photos you may have taken when access was available and are happy to share them, please e mail them to us at friendsofbec@gmail.com  

We are also interested to see any historic photographs you may have or interesting information about those buried within the cemetery that we can share.

 

It is such a shame that we are all not able to access this beautiful open space but for safety reasons that will not be allowed for some time so lets see if we can raise peoples spirits with some interesting and unusual photographs and tales.

 

AGM and Annual Accounts

In common with many organisations FBEC will not be able to hold its AGM in April. Members will receive their invitation to renew their membership and a report from the Chairman with the latest Newsletter in the next few weeks by e mail or post.

Our Annual Accounts will be published on this web site as soon as the current situation allows, but at present we are not able to get them independently audited.

Our existing committee have agreed to stand until the 2021 AGM.

In view of the current situation it would be helpful if members could renew their subscription by standing order, which they need to set up themselves at their bank, as cheques may not be banked for some period due to restrictions. Details are on the renewal form. Please quote your surname as the reference.

Unannounced Cemetery Closure

‘Access to all cemeteries and crematoria in Birmingham will be closed to the public. This is due to an increased number of people that have been congregating at cemeteries in groups and the need to observe social distancing.’

The above statement was published on the City Council web site today. Our apologies for not advising our supporters sooner but we were not informed of this decision. We were therefore unable to post a warning and I am afraid the first we knew was when a number of posts appeared on Facebook.

This is such a shame as this is normally such a quiet place for contemplation and reflection. We would have thought this was an ideal place for people to exercise, as it is a 53 acre site and very easy to find a solitary area.

There are more details about funerals, burials and cremations on the BCC web site.

 

Grass cutting season starts in Brandwood End

Great to see the main drive has been cut and most areas now on schedule. The Cemetery is looking good !

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our thanks again to the BCC grass cutting crews and also to Tony and his ground staff for trying their best, under financial constraints and the unusual conditions at this time, to keep Brandwood looking as if someone cares!

 

Trail bikes damage Jasmin Fields Nature Reserve

It is only a week or two since we mentioned our neighbouring site at Jasmin Fields. On a recent visit we were met with a number of trail bikes indiscriminately tearing up the grass.

This nature reserve is rich in wild life and now one of the main paths through the woodland has been turned into a quagmire and the area adjacent to the canal , crisscrossed by bike tracks.

The bikes appear to have travelled along the tow path from the Yardley Wood area. Lets hope they don’t become frequent visitors as they damage they do is extensive.

 

Heavy winds take their toll.

Very sad news that we have lost yet another tree to sodden ground and high winds. This time the tree was a Cedar just down from the Chapels. This tree was well over 120 years old so is a sad loss. It had begun to snap and tilt and so became a danger.

What was fascinating was to watch the removal of the remaining timber after the Tree Surgeons had done their work.

Unfortunately, due to the age of many of the trees in Brandwood End, this is a sight we are going to see more frequently- so we need to concentrate on slowly replacing and increasing the existing tree stock. As well as helping to improve air quality, these trees and their roots  aid absorption of water and slow the flow of surface water in the cemetery. Recently this has been an issue to neighbouring properties,

WE NEED MORE TREES IN THIS URBAN GREEN SPACE.

Adjacent site AGM-Jasmin Fields.

Lying just across Broad Lane, almost adjacent to the cemetery, is Jasmin Fields Nature Reserve. Their AGM is on Tues. March 3rd at 3.30pm in Park House, Kings Heath Park.

 

The Friends Of Jasmin Fields and The Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery share many of the same aims and interests. Both sites share wildlife that moves between them and both sites represent a green space in an urban area. If you have an interest in the plans for this site, or feel you would like to know more, please pop along on the 3rd and support their efforts.