The Friends have produced a short article about D Day, a link to which is included below. It will be 75 years ago on June 5th that this momentous event took place. We do hope you take the time to read it.
Author: Jane Edwards
A taster of what lies within……
These are just a couple of photos, taken by our committee member Kerry Tinkler. They show a little of the interior of the chapels and give an insight into the work that would be involved if we were able to find a viable future use and obtain permissions and funding.
New Interpretation Board
The eagle eyed amongst you, who read our article headed ‘Chapel news gets better and better’ will have spotted that everyone was standing in front of a new display board!
We were overjoyed when we were asked to provide content for a new ‘Interpretation Board’, to be installed in front of the chapel buildings. This has given everyone involved the opportunity to pass information about the chapels and their future to the public in general- especially those who do not use the internet and therefore are unable to view this web site or our facebook page.
Chapel news gets better and better!
The Friends were delighted to be invited, by Bereavement Service staff, to join them on a rare opportunity to actually get inside the chapels !
They were joined by City Council officials, eager to view the newly fitted temporary roof and inspect the work already done. Everyone agreed that the visit had been well worth while and it stirred enthusiasm all round, that these magnificent buildings should not be allowed to deteriorate further. This is the present stance of BCC . Those present included- Alison Fumagalli (BCC Registrar / South) Bev Nash (BCC Registrar North) Andy King (BCC Principal Building Surveyor Building Consultancy Acivico) Coral Howard FBEC Vice Chair, Kerry Tinkler FBEC Committee Member, Steve Hollingworth (BCC Assistant Director/Regulation and Enforcement) and Dawn Harding (BCC Bereavement Officer responsible for Brandwood End and Kings Norton Cemeteries)
Chapels get spruced up!!
If you happen to visit the cemetery this week, you will spot the major change in the appearance of the area around the chapel buildings!
Following the recent re-roofing of one chapel, the Friends have been pressing for a general clearance of shrubbery etc. Was it our nagging that encouraged this clean up……….or the impending visit of the Cabinet Member for Homes and Neighbourhoods ????? Either way, it looks so much better!!
Heritage Forum
The Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery send representatives along to Birmingham Heritage Forum as it gives us the opportunity to learn about the activities of other members- all of whom have links to heritage buildings or collections.
This link will take you to a ‘flip book’ version of their brochure showing all the member sites throughout Birmingham.
Tree update…..
Those of you that are ‘ECO’ friendly will be pleased to hear that the Tree Officer thinks it may be possible to leave about 12 feet of trunk standing to allow the extensive insect life within the gash area of the tree to continue using it as habitat. When I visited today the insect life was abundant and birds were visiting to use the rich food source there, even as the contractors were working ! Those observant people who visit this area of the cemetery may have noticed that a similar fate happened to another tree near adjacent to the Jewish cemetery area, some years ago, and it is still providing a home for a vast array of wildlife.
Flood alleviation work continues.
Noticed today that work is still continuing to try and deal with the issue of flooding at the Sunderton Road end of the cemetery. Lots of pipes, gravel and trenches in evidence.
Sad reminder….
We were reminded at Committee today that tomorrow will be the first anniversary of Barrie Simpson’s funeral. He is still sadly missed, as so many things we do and discuss had involved Barrie initially. He is still very much part of FBEC and what we do.
Our War Graves, and remembering those that gave their lives was so very important to Barrie, as was the fate of the Chapels and the cemetery as a whole and we miss his wealth of knowledge.
Old Oak damaged by storm Hannah
Today we received the photo below and a message from the City Tree Officer:-
‘Unfortunately one of the mature Oaks adjacent to the Jewish Cemetery suffered severe storm damage over the weekend.
The tree has been assessed and found to have several severe structural defects.
Due to the prominent location of the tree the decision has been made to have it removed.’
Birmingham City Council’s tree service provider will be on site tomorrow to undertake the work.
Normally the Tree Officer likes to leave the main structure of a tree standing as ‘habitat’ if it needs to be felled through age etc but unfortunately, as you can see, that is not possible in this case. It is very sad, but nothing lives forever and the main tree stock in Brandwood End is 125 years old or more, so losses have to be expected. The Friends hope we can work with the Tree Officer and Bereavement Services to plant young trees to naturally take over from these beauties!