Category: News

Poppy Cross Cemetery removed.

Today, during our litter pick, FBEC removed all 300+ poppy crosses laid out in our annually created ‘poppy cross cemetery’.

Following a request from Bereavements we have removed the crosses in the Public Grave area in readiness for grass cutting to start in the spring.

Litter pick March 2014 (4) (800x600)Every year our Vice Chairman, Barrie Simpson, and helpers create a grid of poppy crosses in the hope that it will help people to understand the large numbers of war graves within Brandwood End Cemetery. They also place poppy crosses on every war grave and these will remain in place until November 2015 unless removed by next of kin.

FBEC and Chris Gascoigne of S.Gascoine and Sons sponsored our crosses by donation to the British Legion.

Missing crocus bulbs found!!

Several years ago the members of FBEC spent back breaking hours planting patches of aconites, snowdrops and several thousand crocuses. You may have enjoyed the aconites and snowdrops as you strolled along the main drive but only 2 clumps of crocuses remain near the Oak Tree Island. Much to our annoyance all of the remaining crocus bulbs were dug up and, as far as we were concerned, eaten by the squirrels! Apparently they are a favourite with them…….. Today, whilst litter picking close to D1 we suddenly noticed a shimmering patch of blue.

One of 2 remaining crocus clumps!
One of 2 remaining crocus clumps!

On closer investigation we discovered a swathe of blue crocuses in an area that we would never have planted in!  It would appear that one or two of the greedy squirrels dug up our bulbs and reburied them in their ‘larder’ area and then either forgot them or couldn’t remember where they were…… What a beautiful show these bulbs now make. Perhaps we will forgive the squirrels their greed!

Our 'stolen' crocuses several years on.
Our ‘stolen’ crocuses several years on.

Litter pick March 2014 (17) (800x600)

Remember how muddy and waterlogged our Cemeteries may be at the moment and come prepared!

Please can we remind you that most of the burial areas within Brandwood End and Kings Norton do not lie adjacent to pathways and due to the exceptional rainfall they are often very muddy and waterlogged. Suitable footwear when visiting graves is essential.

Bereavements, in this area, have been able to continue with burials but had to restrict the daily numbers as the instability of the waterlogged ground has meant the use of heavy machinery has had to be limited.

We understand that this is a very emotional time for families but can we please ask you to have some understanding of the difficulties and be mindful of the fact that many areas have totally suspended  their burial services due to ground instability.

FBEC thank you, on behalf of Bereavement Services, for your patience and understanding in these unusual conditions.

Jane Edwards (Chairman-Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery)

A date for your diary! Tuesday March 18th.

 Many of the regular visitors to Brandwood End Cemetery are aware of the large number of Military Graves that lie within (Over 350).  Following Remembrance Sunday each year these graves are even more identifiable as the Friends place ‘Poppy Crosses’ on every grave. Most of these graves are scattered throughout the cemetery but what most people do not realise is that we have a small Military section.   The area surrounding this section has, over time, lost its defined boundary so with the help of funding from Veolia, the Friends will be planting a new boundary hedge of native hawthorn.

a_section_33_militaryAt 10.30am on the morning of Tuesday March 18th the Friends will be joined on site by The Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoress, children from St Albans RC Primary School, and staff from Bereavements Services and Quadron  Services who will be working together to plant 350 hawthorn shrubs to redefine this boundary.

The Friends and Bereavements staff have met on site with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to agree the design and size of this hedge as their requirements are quite specific. Please come along, with your spade, if you would like to help.

 

Birmingham Mail reveal funding share to ‘Wish campaign’ members.

IMG_6571 (800x600)Birmingham Mail have today announced the portion of the £25,000 fund that has been allocated to each of the selected groups. Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery received over 4500 tokens, collected by their supporters and we have been awarded just over £103.00

Thanks again to all our supporters who collected the vouchers and sent them on to us. We are always looking for funding sources for small projects that we are undertaking within the Cemetery.  Follow our ‘blog’ to see what we are working on now.

 

Seasons Greetings to all our supporters from Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery

2013 has been a year when Friends of Brandwood End have had to take a step back and think again about the way they want to move forward in 2014. We were all very disappointed when Birmingham City Council had to withdraw their financial support for a lottery bid relating to the twin terracotta mortuary chapels at the centre of the cemetery. Along with many local organisations we saw the time when Birmingham would be in a position to support any bid we proposed move further and further away. We are now working with Bereavements Department to investigate alternative fund raising options but in the meantime we will continue with our other achievable projects within the cemetery, whilst keeping the chapels at the front of our campaign.

Brandwood End Easter 2012 (2) (800x600)Monday 16th April 005 Monday 16th April 002

Local Community Groups work together at School Christmas Fayre

20131213_153921 (800x712) 20131213_153930 (800x600) FBEC members joined representatives of Friends  groups from Jasmin Fields Nature Reserve, Brandwood Pool,The Park Ranger Service and the local Neighbourhood Policing Team at St Albans Primary School Christmas Fayre. Since the loss of the community 20131213_153940 (800x600)‘Space’ in Sunderton Road all the groups have been involved in the Summer and Christmas Fayres at the school who kindly offered them an opportunity to promote their individual groups to attract membership. Santa made an appearance and visitors were entertained by the school choir and assorted musicians. The Police were on hand to offer crime prevention advice and the Ranger Service had a busy time making natural willow wands and decorations. The event was organised by the school PTA and New Vision sponsored ‘Santa’ !!

Over 4000 Birmingham Mail ‘Wish tokens’!

IMG_6571 (800x600)
Our thanks to all our supporters who have collected ‘Wish Tokens’ for us. We have received over 4000 tokens, which for a small organisation is admirable. Those of you who still have tokens please send them, as soon as possible, to the address in our previous blog post. Thank you all again and we will let you know the outcome of your efforts.

Litter pickers at the ready!

IMG_6507

Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery worked with pupils from Woodthorpe Primary School to discuss what can be done to reduce litter locally. This was followed up by a litter pick in their school grounds and then in nearby Brandwood End Cemetery. The pupils followed their litter hunt with some time spent collecting leaves, cones and other natural items to complete a collage. Watch this space to see their results! Our thanks go to all the helpers, particularly Class 5 of Woodthorpe School.

We all agreed we had enjoyed our adventure in Brandwood End Cemetery and look forward to working with together again.

Act of Remembrance within Brandwood End Cemetery

Remembrance Service at Brandwood End Cemetery

You are invited to join Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery in a short Act of Remembrance in Brandwood End Cemetery on Sunday 10th November 2013.

Please meet at the Cross of Sacrifice on the main drive at 10.45am  for a brief address by David Fairbotham, Deacon of St Dunstans Church, Kings Heath followed by 2 minutes silence at 11am and the laying of wreaths by Councillor Barry Henley and other local organisations.

Please note that there will be no access along the main drive from the Chapels to the Broad Lane gate from 10.45 to 11.15 whilst the Service is taking place. All other roads within the cemetery remain open. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.