Author: Jane Edwards

Brightening up the cemetery

A few years ago the Friends were lucky to receive a donation of 3 planters as part of the ‘Brightening Brandwood’ project. They were initially stocked with wild flowers that unfortunately have now reached the end of their life. The Friends made the decision that, if we could find some sponsors for the planters, we would like to continue to keep them as a welcoming splash of colour as you enter the cemetery.

FBEC funded last year’s display of Geraniums and filled the planters with bulbs but we are pleased to say that we have found two companies and a supporter who have sponsored the planters for the year 2025/6 so they are now looking Spring bright! As soon as its warmer they will also get a lick of paint. Thank you to everyone concerned.

Damp Tree Walk- but enjoyed by all.

Despite the damp and miserable weather we were joined by 23 people who all spent close to an hour and a half learning a little bit more about the trees of Brandwood End in Winter. Our thanks to Malcolm who had spent time planning and leading a great Tree Walk. Lots of interesting facts and questions and so many different trees still remaining to cover at another time.

Hopefully the next Tree Walk will be a ‘Summer’ one with better weather. Thanks again to Malcolm for all his time and effort, and to those that attended and make it all worth while.

If you enjoyed todays walk and want to help us replant some new trees for those you saw that were lost recently then watch this space for details on how you can donate/sponsor new trees.

 

 

Our 20th Anniversary

Alongside the above project we are also working with the Tree Officer and Bereavement Service staff to plant some suitable trees that will deal with future climate issues. We need to replenish tree stocks to maintain our Grade 2 Listed Garden status. We hope to fund this through grants and a possible ‘sponsor a tree’ campaign. Please follow our campaign which we will launch soon.

Grave Gardening session

Fancy some free outdoor exercise? Why not join us at a gardening session clearing graves and shrubbery ?

The next Grave Gardeners Session will be on Sunday February 2nd. Meet at 11am by the Lodge on the Main Drive. Some people stay about 2 hours but others Remember to stay just an hour.

Wear suitable footwear and bring your own tools and heavy duty gardening gloves, if you prefer.(We will have tools and some spare gloves available.)

Please arrive by 11am as we will then be moving to another area of this 53 acre site.

Cemetery Gates Closed.

In line with the high winds Saturday the cemetery gates were closed for safety reasons.

Unfortunately there were a few branches and at least one tree that have been affected again by the high winds.  Luckily for us the Tree Surgeons were quick to act and have spent yet another few days in Brandwood End checking and making trees as safe as they can in these unusual conditions. Saturated ground  and high winds can cause havoc.

Stay safe.