Category: Environment

Some areas resurfaced at last

Brandwood End Cemetery has been buzzing with activity this week as some long awaited potholes have been filled. We are pleased to say that the areas around the Cross of Sacrifice and also the WW1 Memorial have had large sections re tarmaced. Looks like they had some left as some of the areas heading towards the Broad Lane gate have also been patched. It’s certainly only a small amount of what is needed but it is a start and in these cash strapped times we welcome anything! I should add that the areas repaired could have caused significant damage to pedestrians…. And vehicles so I am sure that’s why they have managed to fund the work.

Tree work continues.

Tree husbandry in Brandwood End has actually been funded this year(it isn’t every year and this will be the last we see of it for a while, I suspect!) the downside is that we will see a number of diseased trees disappearing from our beautiful landscape. They have been earmarked for some time but work has now ramped up with contractors working in the cemetery most days. Most recent losses are a very large tree near Broad Lane entrance which was diseased and a beautiful Labernum on A3FC which was pretty much hollow above waist height. Sad but necessary.

Summer Tree Walk

The Friends recently relaunched their refreshed Tree Walk leaflet and on Saturday 20th July at 11am,   Malcolm Jacques will be leading a walk around the trees highlighted.

This will be a ‘stroll’ and most of the areas will accessible to wheelchair users but we warn that the roadways are uneven. All will be welcome but can we ask that any under 16year olds be accompanied by an adult. We would suggest suitable footwear for uneven ground.

If you would like to reserve a place can we ask you to e mail us on friendsofbec@gmail.com,

Busy June for the Friends.

June has ended up being a really busy month for the Friends.  The started off with a Gardening session trying to clear some annoying Mares Tail weeds. I have to say, even we were surprised at the difference a few hours work by half a dozen people made. Thank you Volunteers.

We followed that up with a mornings litter picking and 12 volunteers managed a bag each. We are so pleased to see that the actual litter is mainly flower paper and not ‘dropped’ litter. Can we remind you again to take the paper off any flowers that you leave on loved ones graves. Well done everyone.

We still have several other events to attend, supporting other local groups and lots of preparation for our own July events! Watch this space……

Tree Husbandry in Brandwood End

Over the next few weeks and months you may hear the hum of chain saws and notice the felling of some mature trees in the cemetery. We are all sad to see any tree removed but they all have a limited life. That could be determined by the species of tree or by outside influences such as fungal infections, beetle infestations, disease and weather.

Most of the mature trees in Brandwood End  were planted over 125 years ago and some predate that. Unfortunately- or fortunately, as a public space the trees are regularly checked by the Tree Officer to make sure that none are at risk of falling and causing damage to graves or worse still….people. The Trees Officer spoke to the Friends some time ago, as the recent survey had highlighted quite a few trees needing attention, and where possible they will be trimmed etc but some are beyond those measures and will have to be removed.  This is necessary work and whilst it is sad to see trees removed we are pleased to see that they are being surveyed on a regular basis. (Those that ask about budgets, this is a Health and Safety issue and funding must always be available for that.)

Allied to this project we are discussing possible use of some of the timber removed for ECO projects and also looking a raising funding to replace those trees lost and so maintain a good tree stock for future generations.

Please take care if Tree Surgeons are working in the cemetery. Its interesting to watch but not from too close!

Litter Pick

A busy weekend for FBEC. Gardening on Saturday 1st and then our quarterly  Litter Pick on Sunday 2nd June. This is a quarterly event and usually well attended. Remember to bring stout footwear and gloves and anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

We have had a few windy days lately so no doubt there will be lots of flower paper blown around the cemetery so please come along and help us keep it tidy for visitors.

Meet opposite the Lodge, just inside the main gate, at 10am. we finish at 11.30 am.

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Grave Gardening Session

We will be holding another Grave Gardening session on Saturday 1st June and welcome everyone, with or without green fingers! We do suggest that you wear boots and bring gloves and whilst we do have gloves and tools, we understand if you prefer to bring your own. The most useful will be loppers, shears. secateurs rakes and brooms. We will be working in the Civilian Garden but meeting at the Cross of Sacrifice on the main drive at 11am. The session runs till 2pm but feel free to go when you wish.

 

 

Hard work, but lots of achieved.

We had a great turn out today for our ‘Grave Gardeners’ session. Volunteers drawn from several of our supporting groups , regular volunteers and some new recruits worked from 12 noon till 3pm and cleared a large area on the main drive of small Holly self setters. This was an area that we cleared larger plants from about 5 years ago but smaller saplings had begun to take over again.

After a quick tea break we carried on along the Broad Lane side of the cemetery, removing ground level brambles that were threatening to engulf or young Cherry Trees, taking extra care not to venture near any areas that might hide nesting birds. Our next date should be Saturday 13th April but watch this page for more details.