Spring has sprung in a really unusual place. This was obviously a very determined daffodil!
Category: Environment
Protecting our last tree planting.
Before Covid we worked with Birmingham Trees for Life to plant 15 standard size trees on the boundary with Broad Lane and Sunderton Road. A few years on these trees needed their tree ‘guards’ and stakes removing so this morning seven volunteers from our Grave Gardening group set about that task and also made a start clearing brambles around the. Our thanks to all of them for their efforts as brambles are especially unpleasant to deal with !
Grave Gardeners
The Friends are continuing with their monthly sessions to clear shrubbery from graves and also around some perimeter areas. We welcome help at each of these events and whilst we do have our own group tools we always welcome supporters bringing their own tools with them. Can we suggest that you bring your own gardening gloves, if you have them, and wear suitable footwear.
We will be meeting by the Lodge at 11am but then moving to another area of the cemetery.
Litter Pick 1st March
This is our last chance to get the flower papers and litter out from under bushes and hedges before it disappears into the greenery till next Autumn. Come along and help us with this final push.
Damp Tree Walk- but enjoyed by all.
Despite the damp and miserable weather we were joined by 23 people who all spent close to an hour and a half learning a little bit more about the trees of Brandwood End in Winter. Our thanks to Malcolm who had spent time planning and leading a great Tree Walk. Lots of interesting facts and questions and so many different trees still remaining to cover at another time.
Hopefully the next Tree Walk will be a ‘Summer’ one with better weather. Thanks again to Malcolm for all his time and effort, and to those that attended and make it all worth while.
If you enjoyed todays walk and want to help us replant some new trees for those you saw that were lost recently then watch this space for details on how you can donate/sponsor new trees.
Storm Damage Clearance Continues
The Tree Surgeons have been working daily in the cemetery to cut up and remove trees that were felled in the latest storms. Of the 17+ trees brought down in the winds just 2 remain awaiting removal.
Progress has been slow and meticulous to avoid unnecessary damage to graves that had so far escaped damage. Considering the initial extensive visual havoc the resulting permanent damage is far less than expected.
Reminder Grave Gardeners Session Saturday 11th January
Please meet opposite the Lodge at 11am on Saturday 11th. We will be carrying on clearing some areas of the cemetery of self set trees and shrubs as well as clearing smaller fallen branches.
Last Grave Gardeners Session of 2024
SATURDAY 14TH DECEMBER. MEET OPPPOSITE THE LODGE AT 11AM.
As you can imagine we will have to confirm this literally on Friday (So watch this feed in case we have to cancel) as things in the Cemetery are not as they usually are BUT there are many areas of the cemetery unaffected by the current fallen tree issues so we should be OK to go ahead.
We welcome anyone who fancies some outdoor exercise whilst helping to clear graves. Feel free to bring your own gloves and tools such as secateurs and loppers but please make sure you have stout footwear.
WE WILL NOT BE WORKING NEAR ANY OF THE FELLED TREES. THESE WILL BE LEFT TO THE PROFESSIONALS !
Christmas is a’coming.
So pleased to welcome our beautiful Winter snowflakes back to the Lodge railings, just in time for Christmas. Our thanks again to Valerie for all the effort these take. We can reassure her that they make visitors smile- and they need something to smile about at this time of storm damage!
Trees down in recent storm.
Many of you will already know that there were many trees brought down in the recent storm. The cemetery didn’t escape unscathed and we think this is the worst time the trees have had- at least in the last 20 years.
We fear we have lost at least 10 very large trees, several large bows and many more smaller trees and shrubs. Some of the trees were deciduous and without leaves so it was fairly easy to see if there was any headstone damage. We are pleased to say that miraculously very few graves have been seriously affected but it is less easy to say what has happened under the large Conifers.
Until the trees have been removed, and that will take some time, you will not be able to get any reassurance as to the condition of memorial beneath them. As you can appreciate there are many trees down in many locations and the cemetery was shut on Sunday and early this morning to allow the inspection of the damage. We believe opening hours are now as normal but this may change as and when Tree Surgeons are operating in various areas.
It is noticeable that the main cause of the felled trees seems to be very turbulent wind in confined areas of the cemetery during the storm and the waterlogged soil after a huge amount of rain. The trees themselves generally appeared healthy. So sad as most of them were mature and part of the Grade 2 avenue plan.