Category: Events

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 !

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.

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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.

Successful Local Community Get Together.

What a fantastic event, organised by Suze Cater and her team, to get all the local community groups from Kings Heath, Brandwood and Billesley together to showcase what they can offer to the public. It also gave a chance for us all, including FBEC, to network and see how we can work together in the future on projects and grant applications.

It gave us all an opportunity to meet the local Councillors and other members with influence in areas that could help the Friends of Brandwood End. A Sunday afternoon well spent by 4 of our committee members! We have had such a busy few days and we haven’t finished yet…….

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!

Great gardening day.

Despite the heat, the Friends were joined by 6 extra volunteers to tidy up the Civilian Garden of Remembrance and replenish the 3 planters by the Lodge.

Our special thanks to Brian from ‘Friends of Lifford Reservoir’ for sparing time from the work they do at the Reservoir.

Lots of rain in May and sun in June had made everything, especially in the flower beds, burst into life. Our thanks to Josie and Bren for taming the growth !

Extra thanks to our Chairman Julia for visiting the Birmingham Parks and Nursery site at Cofton and filling her car with Geraniums. They are now all deployed in planters and around the Rose beds in the Civilian Garden.

There is still a lot to do but we hope to have a team from Nat West Bank on site helping soon, so watch out for news of that.