Author: Jane Edwards

VJ day remembered.

Kings Heath British Legion in Station Road, Kings Heath  are holding a family day for the local community to raise awareness of the 70th anniversary of VJ Day. They want to highlight the work the Legion does for serving and ex serving personnel. As Kings Heath is the last Memorial Hall in the West Midlands they strongly believe that this date should be marked with respect and that people need to be aware of the struggle people went though during the campaign.

They will have food, stalls and a bouncing castle on site so why not pop in with the family between 12-4pm  to show your support.

Find out more about VJ Day here.Poppy

Our 10th Anniversary.

I am sure you have gathered from our notice boards and this blog, that 2015 is the 10th year that FBEC have been active in Brandwood End. Unfortunately we do not have the capacity to support a  Heritage event in the cemetery this year but instead we will have displays in Kings Heath and Druids Heath Libraries during Heritage week (from the 9th September). Why not pop in and take a look?

Dedication stone

Work parties on local sites

Our local neighbour, Jasmin Fields Nature Reserve, has two work party events in August.

On the 23rd August they are inviting you to come along and ‘ Bash Balsam’ to help control this invasive weed (10.30-1pm) and then on the 30th they have a general work day with ‘The Reapers’ cutting the wild flower meadow area. (8.30-11am). Contact the Ranger Service to book a place.

Jasmin Fields photos (3)

Future Project

The Friends are in discussions with Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust to be the linchpin of a community Hedgehog survey in Brandwood. The project would hopefully involve the training of local residents to recognise Hedgehog activity, improve habitat, encourage ‘Hedgehog friendly gardens’ and generally raise the profile and understanding of wildlife within the cemetery and beyond.

hedgehogThe Hedgehog used to be a common sight in many peoples gardens and within Brandwood End Cemetery……but when did you last see one? With help, we hope to discover if they are still thriving in this area and if not, why not- and what could residents do to encourage a growth in the numbers of this endangered species.

Kings Heath History Group visit Brandwood End.

This photograph was taken on Saturday 20th June at the end of a most interesting and absorbing KH History Group summer field trip to Brandwood End Cemetery led by Pat Franklin (A member of FBEC) who generously gave her time to talk to the members about the history of the Cemetery and show them some of the WW1 graves and memorials that Brandwood contains.

KH History Group June 2015#3 (800x600)

Hedge cut for another season…..

Several members of FBEC answered our call for help as we brought the hedge in the Civilian Garden of Remembrance back in line!

Many hands make light work……..                   20150614_095651                                                          20150614_103412

20150614_111804Several of our members turned up, shears in hand, to help trim the hawthorn hedge that surrounds the garden.

 

 

 

Luckily the weather was in our favour and we managed to do a bit of weeding as well!

 

 

 

Our thanks to everyone who gave up their morning and I think we all agree that the Civilian Garden is looking really good at the moment.

A brief mention to the ladies that take it in turns to weed the beds and paths. Their efforts are obvious!

Cherish your Churchyard.

We know Brandwood End isn’t exactly a Churchyard…..but seeing as its ‘Cherish your Churchyard’ week……..I think we can cheat a little!  We always need gardening help with weeding, hedge cutting, pruning and other projects etc.  How about starting our own special week……. ‘ Celebrate your Cemetery’ ?

Botanics clay day. 009 (600x800)

Can you lend FBEC your horticultural skills?

FBEC members are responsible for maintaining the flower beds in the Civilian Garden of Remembrance in Brandwood End. The flower beds in this area are overflowing with blooms……but hidden amongst them there are many weeds! The planting in this area will be refurbished in the winter but we could do with help keeping the weeds down till then. We operate a small rota but we need more members to give a couple of hours. This can be as a regular commitment or just a one off when you have some spare time. Can you contact us via this web site or e mail to friendsofbec@gmail.com

IMG_8158IMG_8164IMG_8165We collected this bag of weeds in a few minutes as we passed through the area.

We also have a new hedge, in close proximity to this area, that needs the weeds keeping down underneath it- until the hedge is established enough to shade them out.  Please get in touch if you would be happy to spend a couple of hours enjoying this beautiful cemetery and pulling a few weeds!!

Sun shines for June Litter Pick

Six FBEC members enjoyed today’s sunshine as they searched for litter in the Cemetery at our quarterly  ‘Litter Pick’. It was good to see that there was very little litter about, but we still managed to gather about 8 bags- mainly flower paper, from under hedges and hidden in shrubbery. Your next chance to join us will be on Saturday 5th September.

I thought today, instead of litter, I would post a few lovely photographs taken during the event.

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We were a little shocked by this drastic pruning of a conifer on the main drive but it would appear that it will ultimately be dispatched, but in the mean time it still offers a home to thousands of insects and a great perch for our local Buzzard!

 

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