Category: Environment

Season for Fungi

This is the time of year where the damp weather means its fungi season in the Cemetery. You can always find lots of ground fungi but Carola??????????????????????????????????????, a member of our committee, spotted and photographed this specimen of tree fungi!

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Next time you are in Brandwood End try looking up……you would be amazed what you can find.

 

As well as varied birds sitting quietly in the trees you can also see the remnants of their nests and several squirrel dray’s. Views across the cemetery are very different when the trees are devoid of leaves but our many evergreen trees mean that there is always a splash of colour.

Those of us that are lucky enough to live close to the cemetery can recommend a walk there in any season and any weather as nature always provides something to see.

Seasons Greetings to all our supporters.

Christmas is almost upon us and the committee of Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery would like to wish all our supporters ‘Seasons Greetings’. Although we seem to have made no progress with the Chapels in 2014, due to the financial constraints being experienced by Birmingham City Council, we have never the less been busy on other projects in the cemetery. Can we thank Bereavement Services staff for their co operation, our project sponsors and all of the volunteers who have worked alongside us. Thank you all again and we look forward, hopefully, to more progress in 2015.

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Choking Ivy removed from historic graves.

Our thanks to the committee members and volunteers who turned out to help remove the Ivy from some 0f the historic graves near the Chapels last weekend. We are only able to do this at certain prescribed times each year as the Ivy provides nesting areas for some of our beautiful birds from the spring onwards. A special thank you to the volunteers from Alvechurch who gave up their time to help committee members.

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Transformed……from the overgrown view on the left to the cleared area on the right!!

The sad news is that this needs to be done often and it only seems like yesterday that it was cleared before!  Our thanks again for everyone’s efforts.

Last litter pick of 2014!

This will be the last weekend in 2014 that the Friends will be holding a Litter Pick and clean up in the Cemetery. The details are as follows:-

Meet by the Lodge on the main drive. 10am (Usually finished by 11.30am)

Sunday 7th December. Litter pickers and sacks provided but suitable shoes and gloves advisable.

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If Litter Picking is not up your street, we always have plenty of weeding to do under the hedges in the Civilian Garden of Remembrance. You will have to bring your own tools for this task.

 

 

New Road Markings in Brandwood End Cemetery

Those of you that visit the cemetery often will have noticed the sudden appearance of ‘give way’ white road markings at the end of avenues and especially surrounding the Chapel Island.

Speeding inside the cemetery has long been an issue but on a number of occasions recently cars have pulled out of avenues at speed or onto the island area without considering traffic already on that island or main drive. This has resulted in a number of near accidents with cars and pedestrians, so the roads have now been marked to remind people to ‘give way’

Chapels (looking from the War Memorial)

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Please remember that there is a 5 mph speed limit within the cemetery and that there are often pedestrians who may be tending graves close to the edge of roads or walking through the cemetery.

Please reduce your speed and remain vigilant as we would hate to have someone injured whilst visiting their loved one’s grave.

 

Damaged Hedge repaired.

Nicola Clarke, Horticultural Development Manager for Quadron Services, helped replant an area of hedge in the Commonwealth War Graves area after it was accidentally damaged. Luckily there had been some of the hawthorn hedging remaining after the recent planting and it had been ‘growing on’ in nearby Broad Lane Allotments.

20141027_094204 (800x600)The Friends are always in need of Volunteers to help with weeding in this area and our Civilian Garden of Remembrance.  If you think you can spare some time, please contact us at friendsofbec@gmail.com.

 

Jasmin Fields Work Day

Sunday the 19th of October will see lots of activity at our local Nature Reserve of Jasmin Fields. Following the fire and destruction of the bridge walkway to the canal, the Friends and local Ranger will be relaying a pathway across this area. There will be litter picking, ‘Balsam Bashing’ , bulb planting and general tidying so they need as much help as possible.

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Please meet at the Farm gate entrance in Jasmin Croft at 10am.  There will be people on site from 10am-4pm so if you can drop in any time, they will welcome your help.

Please wear suitable clothing and footwear. Children under 16 must be supervised by an adult.

Litter Pick Time again!

Many of you join us at our quarterly litter pick events in Brandwood End Cemetery. The dates for the year are posted in advance on our web pages but we do like to remind you as they approach.

This Saturday, 6th September, we will be meeting at the Lodge on the main drive at 10am. Stout footwear and gloves are recommended but we have a supply of litter pickers and bags.

We also maintain the Civilian Garden of Remembrance and if you would prefer to help with the mountain of weeding around its perimeter we would welcome assistance. You will need to provide your own tools/gloves/kneeler etc.

We look forward to seeing everyone on what we hope will be a dry day!

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Bat Walk Reminder!

Explore the night with Brum Bats and the Ranger Service on a Bat walk through Jasmin fields Nature Reserve along the canal, through the cemetery to finish at Brandwood Pool.

Thursday 11th September 7.30-9pm meet at the Farm gate on Bayston Rd, facing Kinsey Grove B14 5AR

All ages welcome but under 16’s must be supervised.You will need to bring a Powerful torch and wear outdoor clothing and sturdy footwear.

Please contact the Ranger Service to book 0121 675 0937 – Spaces are limited so you will need to book in advance.