Over Heritage week we have decided to offer our self guided Heritage Walk again. You can find the link to this on our ‘Events’ page. Please download it before you attend if you want to participate. We will have a few hard copies available on Saturday the 10th at our event in the Civilian Garden but using your mobile device saves us printing costs. Thankyou
Just a reminder that the Friends are taking part in Heritage Open week commencing next Saturday the 10th September with an event based in our Civilian Garden- 11am to 2pm
The Friends will be there to put names to those bomb victims buried within this area and give everyone an insight into when and why it was originally designed some 70 years ago. Its been reborn several times so has a history of its own.
We will also be joined by Matt Felkin who has done a lot of research for Birmingham Air Raids Association and he holds a wealth of information about casualties and bomb sites around the City.
There is still time to sign up to assist other volunteers recording inscriptions of our headstones for a digital map ! Follow this link to Eventbrite to book a place. Wednesday 14th September 10am-noon. This event will be led by Caring for God’s Acre.
Our final event will be a stroll around a number of graves that have been researched by Balsall Heath History Society and the Friends. There are still a few spaces- e mail us on friendsofbec@gmail.com
Friday 16th September 2pm.
The Friends will be taking part in Heritage Open Week and here are a few dates for your diary.
Saturday September 10th– Join us in the Civilian Garden of Remembrance to find out more about this area and why it was built by BCC 70 years ago and refurbished by the Friends. Learn more about who is buried there and why.
We will also have self guided grave tour maps and a trail of painted stones for the younger visitors.
Wednesday 14th September-join volunteers to help record the inscriptions on memorials for posterity, as well as giving you an insight to those buried beneath and the etiquette at that time. This event will be led by Caring for God’s Acre and booking will be available via Eventbrite nearer the time or by e mail to friendsofbec@gmail.com
Friday 16th September– Take a stroll with our Chairman, Julia Griffin and Val Hart from the Balsall Heath Society to visit a number of graves with a connection to Balsall Heath. You dont have to have lived in that area to find the lives of those buried within are of real interest. Please e mail us direct to book a place as we have limited space. friendsofbec@gmail.com
I am sorry to say that the Bat Walk that was due to be held on August the 9th has had to be cancelled. We will be trying to get it rescheduled but at the present time Parks are not able to support it. Hopefully Brum Bats can find another acceptable slot. Watch this space and Facebook for updates.
This first picture popped up in our ‘facebook’ memories. The second picture was taken last week, 11 years on, by our Chairman, Julia. This year is a special anniversary for this garden area…….but more of that later!
Jasmin Fields Nature reserve lies just across Broad Lane from the Cemetery and we try and support each other when we can. The Chinnbrook runs through their site and along with wetland comes Himalayan Balsam- a pretty but invasive plant.
This Sunday the 19th June at 2pm there will be a work party to help remove as much as we can. Thankfully it is easy to remove and the only kit required is stout footwear….and gloves.
Meet at the Farm gate in Bayston Avenue facing Kinsey Grove
ove.
Please come and join us for our litter pick this Sunday 5th June. Meet at 10 am by the Lodge. We have pickers and bags we just need volunteers!
On this special Jubilee day we are rounding off with a Loyal Toast and cake before we leave. 
The Friends were pleased to welcome members of the ‘Brighten up Brandwood” team for a morning of Geranium planting and the creation of wild flower meadow tubs. 
The highlight of the event was the installation of a crochet flower mesh to brighten the lodge railings. Our thanks to Valerie and her team. This art work is on loan to us till after the Queens Jubilee celebrations. Thank you everyone!
Sergeant-Major Charles Dawes died in 1932 aged 96. Todays information is short, but he definitely needs a mention.
Kings Royal Irish Hussars – Service No. 1428
Crimean and Indian Mutiny Veteran – Chelsea Pensioner
Died 1st August 1932 aged 96 – 270 Clifton Road Balsall Heath, Birmingham.
“The last Birmingham survivor of the Crimean War was buried with full military honours on
Saturday (6th August 1932) at Brandwood End Cemetery, Birmingham. Hundreds of
people lined the route of three miles from his home and there were several hundreds
more at the cemetery.
Hampshire Telegraph – Friday August 12th 1932.”
Charles was born in Upper Street, Tettenhall Regis, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, and
baptised 25 October 1835. His father was James Dawes (a gardener from Penn) and his
mother was Elizabeth. He married Caroline Whyatt from Haslingfield, Cambridgeshire in
1867.
Two of his sons had Indian connection middle names – Albert Edward Shinwarrie Whyatt
Dawes and Charles William Gwalior Whyatt Dawes.