Category: Community

Commonwealth War Grave area

Regular visitors to Brandwood End are aware that we have a large number of Commonwealth War Graves but for some unknown reason a small number are placed together in an area in Section 33. We have tried, as have Bereavement Services staff, to find the reason why these flyers have been buried together, when all the other  CWGC recognised graves are scattered throughout the cemetery. We are all unable to find any tie between them.

Following a recent visit from a representative of CWGC it was decided that the site needed to be refreshed, and we reported on the start of this work. This is an update and the turf is now in place. We suspect that not much will happen now until this turf has bedded in, but perennial planting should follow and continued maintenance by CWGC gardening staff.

Congratulations !

On the 6th February 1952 Princess Elizabeth at the age of 25, became Queen on the death of her father King George VI. Her Coronation in Westminster Abbey took place the following year on 2nd June 1953.
On 6th February 2022, Queen Elizabeth at the age of 95, will become the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking a 70-year reign.

Council Officers share our interest in Brandwood End.

Members of the Friends spent a fruitful morning with Councillor John Cotton (Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion, Community Safety, Equalities and Bereavement Services) and Paul Lankester (Interim Assistant Director Regulation and Enforcement). Alison Fumagalli and Dawn Harding (Bereavement Services)  arranged the meeting and we were able to view the Chapel interiors and several other areas in the cemetery. We thank them all for sparing the time in their busy work schedules but I am sure they  agree that it was an interesting morning for us all.

 

Whilst in the cemetery we all paid a visit to the small War Graves area which is being refurbished by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission team, as it had become a little shabby. We await the finished article with anticipation as there will be new turf and perennial planting,  in line with all CWGC  maintained sites.

Holocaust Memorial Day 2022 is this week.

THURSDAY 27TH JANUARY IS A DATE FOR QUIET REFLECTION.

Holocaust Memorial Day 2022

There will be a commemoration event at Millennium Point on Sunday 20th.

 

Birmingham’s annual civic commemoration of Holocaust Memorial Day will be hosted at Millennium Point next week.

The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Cllr Muhammad Afzal, will lead the event on Sunday (30 January 2022) which this year has the theme of One Day. The event is free, open to all and starts at 2pm.

Holocaust Memorial Day commemorates the victims and survivors of the Holocaust and Nazi persecutions, as well as other genocides around the world.

One Day is the theme for this year’s event, in the hope there may be one day in the future with no genocide. It is also an opportunity to learn more about the past, empathise with others today and take action for a better future.

This year’s programme will feature a candle-lighting ceremony as well as testimony from Mindu Hornick MBE, who will talk about her experiences as a Holocaust survivor, plus performances from violinist Simone Schehtman, Birmingham’s Young Poet Laureate Fatma Mohiuddin and the city council’s choir.

Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Cllr Muhammad Afzal, said: “Holocaust Memorial Day is an opportunity for everyone to pause, reflect and learn lessons from the past and apply them to the present day, to create a safer, better future.

“This year we will be able to come together to light a candle and remember victims of atrocities and genocides around the world, as well as those who are still sadly losing their lives through war, conflict and hate crime. I hope as many people as possible will join us Millennium Point on 30 January.”

Cllr John Cotton, Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion, Community Safety and Equalities at Birmingham City Council, will be hosting the event and give a short speech.

This event will also be recorded and shared via the city council’s social media accounts afterwards.

Badger activity in Brandwood End

It is suspected that Badgers from a local sett have been venturing into the cemetery. They are beautiful creatures but can cause untold damage to graves and lawned areas which would cause great distress to bereaved families, as well as costing a lot to rectify.

If you see a Badger within the cemetery can you note the area and the time and let us know via a message or email. The most likely time to spot them will be early morning and late afternoon (at dusk) but if you live backing onto the cemetery you may spot them at other times. Photographs would be very interesting as well.

The Ranger service and local residents have been aware of several large setts locally so hopefully they are just foraging and not looking for a new home!

Jasmin Fields Nature Reserve appeals to dog owners.

Can we remind everyone that the very local Jasmin Fields Nature Reserve is a haven for wildlife and welcomes dog walkers- but one of the volunteers, Pat, drew the lovely poster below. It is just a reminder that, as a dog owner, you have a responsibility to clear up behind your pooch.

Can we also remind everyone that you should be prepared to ‘leave no trace’ if you visit the Cemetery, Jasmin Fields or any other green open space. Please remove your rubbish. Take it home ! Bins are often overwhelmed so be prepared ! Can we also remind you to remove any flower wrapping paper if leaving flowers at a loved ones grave, as the paper helps the flowers blow from the grave in high winds.

The ‘eyes’ of the chapels are restored !

Anyone visiting the cemetery in the next few days will see some fantastic work being undertaken. After many years the boards on the windows are being removed and replaced with reinforced Perspex, thus exposing the fantastic terracotta trace work and allowing light into the interior space.

An unexpected effect is that the magnificent trees surrounding the building are reflected out again from the glass creating a magical vision.

Our thanks to Bereavement Services for facilitating this and the contractors for their care installing the Perspex-  as great thought has gone into the best way to fix this!