Final reminder for this event. Meet at the Lodge at 3pm sharp as we will then move off to another area of the site. All welcome, even if you haven’t booked. this event is geared for Adult and/or secondary school level.
Category: Environment
Looking back
In 2021, as part of our Heritage Open Week, we ran a session that enabled members of the public with any sort of camera, from professional to phone, to join a group to learn more about photographic composition. It was well received and we thought you may like to have access to the group results from the album we kept. Please follow the link below.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/9Qz1gRAJ5cxKADNg9
If this is something you would like to be involved in in future, then please e mail us at:
friendsofbec@gmail.com
Stories from the Stones.
I am afraid that, due to circumstances beyond our control, we have had to suspend our Stories from the Stones project for a short period. The original organisers and sponsors of the project were ‘Caring for Gods Acre’ but their support was limited to 2 years and that expired at the end of last year.
We have managed to hold some recording events since but need to reorganise our team as we want to make every effort to continue with the valuable recording of grave inscriptions for posterity.
Please watch this page for details of when these events will re-commence and we hope to include some weekend opportunities as requested !
Would you like to learn more about pollinators?
Lukas visited us last year to lead a Fungi walk. He is returning to share more of his knowledge but this time about ‘Pollinators’. Don’t miss this great event. It is a date for your diary.
Our thanks to Valley Contractors
Pre-Covid the two flower beds adjacent to the Lodge ramp were planted twice a year with Geraniums and Pansies by Birmingham Parks and Nurseries staff, but in the last round of financial cuts this service was discontinued. FBEC had been planting the area since but we found it beyond our manpower capacity and finances. After discussion with the Cemetery Managers it was agreed that these two beds would be turfed, when BCC funding and man power allowed.
Greg and Sarah from Valley Contractors to the Rescue ! They heard about our plight and popped in and did the one side and now they have done it all. We will diligently water this half and it will soon be gloriously green, as the other side now is.
Section Markers
On the same day that Nat West staff were busy gardening, two members of our committee were busy with their shovels and cement, placing section markers back where they should be! A number had been displaced either by tree removal or collision with vehicles (Usually trucks!)
Over 10 years ago the Friends, with the financial support of Co op Funeral Care, managed to install new black marble section markers throughout the cemetery to aid those searching for graves. Occasionally these become displaced so we are checking and reinstalling where we can.
Rest and Reflect Trail.
If you visit the cemetery and look at the Friends notice board, on the left as you enter, you will see a poster for the Rest and Reflect Trail and a QR code that enables you to download it on to your phone. If you prefer you can download it here and print your own version.
Today was the launch of this trail which invites you to stroll and rest a while ion one of the benches in the beautiful surroundings of the cemetery. Why not download it and pop in on a sunny day? This is a new project planned by Suze Carter but if people are interested then the Friends intend to expand the choice of routes and the reasons to walk/stroll/run/cycle around this 53 acre site. Brandwood End is a wonderful calm, quiet, green site which is packed with trees, wildlife and views but has the added benefit of over 100 benches.
Nat West staff work hard in the cemetery.
We were lucky enough to be approached by Nat West staff to do some volunteer work in the cemetery for us. Our thanks to one of their team who also happens to be a supporter! Shout out to Tracy Egan….
A really busy day of weeding, bramble removal and section marker cleaning. What’s even better is that they want to come back and do it again ! Thank you all for your marvellous work.
Special thank you to Piers for taking time to try out the Rest and Reflect Trail, due to be launched on Thursday. Special mention to Tony. who helped us move all the bramble back to the yard. It will mean a reduced Blackberry crop this year but the Brambles were strangling the other shrubs.
Mobility ‘Rest and Reflect’ Trail.
For some months now the Friends have been working on a large project to highlight benches within the cemetery that might offer a peaceful setting and an interesting outlook. Suze and her team at ‘Our Scene’ have taken this idea and created a small trail within the cemetery but specifically one that is suitable for the less able who may use a wheelchair or a mobility scooter. Come along to the launch and try it out. We hope you like it as it will become part of something much bigger. Thank you ‘Our Scene’ for spurring us on with our idea.
Join together with the Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery for the launch of a ‘Rest & Reflect’ trail between benches in a small area of the cemetery. (Meet by the Lodge just off Woodthorpe Road B14 6EQ). The perfect way to start exploring if you are new to the cemetery. The trail is designed with accessibility at its heart. Chatty Chatty Brum Brum will be serving some free refreshments at our little early evening launch party. Come and have a go (paper versions available at the event). All welcome!
Lodge Ramp- flower beds.
Those of you that visit the cemetery often may have noticed that the 2 flower beds adjacent to the Lodge were historically refreshed twice a year by Birmingham Parks and Nursery with plants. Pre-covid this practice stopped as part of funding cuts and the Friends have tried to take on planting in this area, but manpower and cost has made it impossible for us, so with help from Greg and Sarah of Valley Contractors, who kindly donated some turf, we will be able to extend the grass area and get rid of this weed ridden patch.
We have also recently installed 3 planters and we are lucky to have ‘screen wall curtains’ that change with the seasons and are crocheted by a lovely local team. They both require less maintenance by the Friends !