Those of you that follow our posts will know that several months ago the Commonwealth War Graves Commission re laid new turf in a small War Grave area adjacent to the main drive. This area is home to 8 of our 352 War Graves. Why these 8 are here together no one seems to know. Bereavements are mystified and so are the CWGC. The refreshing of this area has continued with the grass now lush and the addition of new perennial flowers at the foot of each stone. Looking good.
Well not exactly. We had a great welcome at Stirchley History Group as we gave a talk in the former ‘baths’ building…. Now a community hub. We look forward to seeing everyone again, maybe at one of our events.
5 June 1922 – 5 June 2022
Over 100 years the Poppy has evolved but remains an enduring symbol of Remembrance and hope for a peaceful future.
The Royal British Legion wanted to buy Remembrance poppies made in Britain and George Howson proposed that the poppies should be made by disabled war veterans in the United Kingdom. The Legion agreed and in May 1922 it gave Howson £2,000 to establish a poppy making factory.
The first poppy factory opened on 5th June 1922 in two rooms at Mitchell’s collar factory near Old Kent Road, South London.
In a normal year, 40,000 collectors with tins sell more than 35million poppies and raise around £50million for the British Legion charity.
Please come and join us for our litter pick this Sunday 5th June. Meet at 10 am by the Lodge. We have pickers and bags we just need volunteers!
On this special Jubilee day we are rounding off with a Loyal Toast and cake before we leave. 
The Friends were pleased to welcome members of the ‘Brighten up Brandwood” team for a morning of Geranium planting and the creation of wild flower meadow tubs. 
The highlight of the event was the installation of a crochet flower mesh to brighten the lodge railings. Our thanks to Valerie and her team. This art work is on loan to us till after the Queens Jubilee celebrations. Thank you everyone!
The Friends and cemetery staff are concerned that a number of apparent animals, possibly killed by traffic on Broad Lane, have been move to cemetery bins.
The Council have a dedicated site to report this issue and they will remove the animal and try and trace the owners if the animal is domesticated and wearing a collar.
This is a sad occurrence but the staff in the cemetery are not responsible for dealing with these animals, which are sometimes left in bins or under hedges. Please report them to the proper department, who actually record all such collections in detail.
The Friends are pleased to announce that we are working with ourscene.org – who are a social enterprise on a mission to offer a change of scenery for those who need one within our Brandwood neighbourhood.
As part of their Brightening Brandwood project they are making and distributing planters in the Brandwood area and we will be receiving three in Brandwood End Cemetery.
Regular visitors will have missed the usual lovely display of Geraniums lining the path to the Lodge on the main drive. Unfortunately BCC are no longer funding this display so the Friends have stepped up and with our funding and the assistance of Our Scene we hope to plant this area later next week. Our Chairman, Julia, has been busy preparing the area- not an easy task when the soil is so dry.
We do hope you have enjoyed reading the research we have posted and we remind you that there are 86000+ graves in Brandwood End, so lots more to do ! We welcome anyone who would like to join us doing long term research.
We also highlighted the gardening and general tidying work that the Friends do- and again we are always welcoming, as an extra pair of hands helps spread the load.
The Friends are always in need of supporters to help with weeding in the Civilian Garden of Remembrance as the two large round beds are now well established and ground cover plants are flourishing but weeds still are an issue. We had a very successful rota but I am afraid most of the volunteers have either moved away or feel physically unable to continue. Weeding there can be done when ever you want but we do need to know before you go for insurance purposes. A text to 07811393259 or an e mail to friendsofbec@gmail.com is equally acceptable. If you would rather work in a group then let us know and we will arrange w work party for a few of us. We hope one of our supporters can help.
A huge thankyou to those that already go above and beyond to assist.
Firefighters Memorial Day will have been marked by a minutes silence at midday today to honour Firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty. Over 2300 such deaths are recorded.
Brandwood End is the resting place of Sydney Charles Tropman who was one of the above number.
As part of National Cemeteries Week we would like to highlight some of his story.
