LAST LITTER PICK OF 2022
SUNDAY 4TH DECEMBER
10AM TILL 11.30PM
We have the litter pickers, we have the bags, all we need is the manpower. This is our last chance to get all the windblown litter that the spring shrub growth will cover.
Meet at the Lodge.(Under 16 must be accompanied by an adult)
Stout shoes and gloves recommended.
What an amazing turn out we had today for this annual Remembrance Service. Our new Bugler did us proud and so did the Flag Bearers from all three sections of 148th St Dunstans Scout Group. We were privileged to have an increased number of organisations laying wreaths this year.
This link will take you to our photo album, w
here I have tried to incorporate all the photographs shared to our ‘facebook’ page by those who attended, as I know many of you won’t have access to these. I have also included a few below.
Despite this being a solemn occasion, there was great interest after the service in the helmet of one of our wreath layers!
Our thanks to everyone that attended, especially to those that travelled a distance.
You may remember that the Friends were lucky enough to receive 3 community made planters complete with Wildflowers that we positioned near the Lodge and notice boards. We did get some wildflowers but were disappointed with the display.
A small team of volunteers have taken over the maintenance of these planters and today they were all emptied of the unsuitable soil and refilled with a better quality compost. (Not an easy job)
They are now ready for their Winter planting, so keep an eye out to see what appears. Our thanks again to Brightening Brandwood for providing the planters.
Yet another day with a fantastic team. AVOVE staff went above and beyond to clear a huge area of the cemetery that had been under shrubbery for many years.
Bit by bit graves were uncovered. Some of them had been buried under dense shrubbery for a long time but when dug out, they were remarkably intact and had been protected by years of pine needles.
Those of you that follow FBEC and the cemetery will know that we have been waging war on the advancing areas of Holly, Ivy and general shrubbery that got a strong hold in the cemetery during Covid. Last months tidy up was very successful so we are trying to squeeze a final assault before Winter sets in. Most of this clearance must be done now as the Spring heralds the nesting season and we want to leave shrubbery, especially Ivy, undisturbed. Pop in for as long as you like and give a hand. Stout footwear and gloves if possible. Bring your own tools if you wish but we have loppers and other items.
Our annual Service of Remembrance will take place at the Cross of Sacrifice on the main drive on Sunday 13th November 2022 at 10.45am.
A few weeks ago Josie Wall, and the Friends, put a shout out for help to remove acres of Holly that were taking over many areas of the cemetery- especially the main drive. Little did we know that 20+ people would turn up and spent hours clearing such a mountain of Holly and some Ivy !. Josie is showing the scale of one of the two piles volunteers removed.
The effect was obvious after 30 minutes, but 3 hours later it was amazing. The photograph above is a before. The one below is the same space afterwards.
Thank you all, The community stands up and shows its commitment yet again. We hope to do this again in November, which will probably be our last chance this side of Christmas. Watch this space.
If you can spare even an hour on the 15th please come along and help- anytime between 11am and 2pm. Stout footwear and gardening gloves if you have them, but we do have tools and some heavy-duty gloves. Many of the graves have no living relatives to visit and help clear self-set shrubs and trees, so we are hoping to be able to make a difference. This is always a rewarding experience as you can see the impact you make as graves ‘appear’ from the shrubbery. Brandwood End is a 53 acre site and has been used for burials since 1899. The days of 20+ on site Gardeners (as there used to be) have gone so we need to encourage community help with this never ending battle.
Despite short notice there were 18 keen attendees at our wonderful Fungi Walk led by Lukas Large. We even have a waiting list for our next venture into the world of fungi. The weather was with us but unfortunately there was very little fungi, as despite the previous day’s heavy showers the ground was still very dry.
Luckily, Lukas had also bought some interesting specimens along with him so we all had a very interesting and informative couple of hours. Thank you for your time Lukas and Josie, for arranging this.
Those of you that follow our Web site or Facebook site may have noticed a new contributor. Josie Wall has been appointed on a 12 month contract as Bereavement Services Activities Manager. Josie’s role covers 9 Birmingham Cemeteries and 3 Crematoria and involves supporting existing friends groups, encouraging the formation of friends groups in other cemeteries and resolving a number of issues not directly involved with ‘funerals’ but no less important to the general community.
Fbec have already enjoyed working alongside Josie as part of the ‘God’ s Acre’ project in Brandwood End and are very pleased to welcome her in her new role.
