Category: Events

Lord Mayor joins local school at Veolia sponsored event in cemetery

We wish we could say that the sun shone today as it has done for the last week- but it didn’t. That didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of pupils from St Alban’s RC Primary School who came along to the cemetery to help plant hawthorn whips around a Commonwealth War Graves Commission burial area. Brandwood End is home to over 300 war graves but there is only one small area where graves lie in rows on a specially maintained area of grassland. This area is now enclosed by a new hawthorn hedge.IMG_6712

We were pleased to welcome lots of visitors to the site as well as the pupils. Representatives of Veolia Environmental Services, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, New Vision, Bereavement Services, Quadron Contractors and local residents were joined by the Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoress.

Following a busy morning planting they all enjoyed refreshments and a chance to talk to the Lord Mayor about his role and his regalia.

IMG_6705 (800x600) IMG_6717 (800x600) Well done!

 

FBEC AGM 2014

You are invited to the Annual General Meeting of the Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery which is to be held on Thursday 10th April at 7.30 pm. Please note that we have changed the venue back to St Bedes Church, Bryndale Ave, B14 6NG.  We hope returning to this venue will increase attendance at our AGM as we need your support at our meetings. Copies of the Annual Report and the Audited Accounts will be presented and circulated to the members. Following the meeting these will be posted on our website www.fbec.org.uk.

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Poppy Cross Cemetery removed.

Today, during our litter pick, FBEC removed all 300+ poppy crosses laid out in our annually created ‘poppy cross cemetery’.

Following a request from Bereavements we have removed the crosses in the Public Grave area in readiness for grass cutting to start in the spring.

Litter pick March 2014 (4) (800x600)Every year our Vice Chairman, Barrie Simpson, and helpers create a grid of poppy crosses in the hope that it will help people to understand the large numbers of war graves within Brandwood End Cemetery. They also place poppy crosses on every war grave and these will remain in place until November 2015 unless removed by next of kin.

FBEC and Chris Gascoigne of S.Gascoine and Sons sponsored our crosses by donation to the British Legion.

Missing crocus bulbs found!!

Several years ago the members of FBEC spent back breaking hours planting patches of aconites, snowdrops and several thousand crocuses. You may have enjoyed the aconites and snowdrops as you strolled along the main drive but only 2 clumps of crocuses remain near the Oak Tree Island. Much to our annoyance all of the remaining crocus bulbs were dug up and, as far as we were concerned, eaten by the squirrels! Apparently they are a favourite with them…….. Today, whilst litter picking close to D1 we suddenly noticed a shimmering patch of blue.

One of 2 remaining crocus clumps!
One of 2 remaining crocus clumps!

On closer investigation we discovered a swathe of blue crocuses in an area that we would never have planted in!  It would appear that one or two of the greedy squirrels dug up our bulbs and reburied them in their ‘larder’ area and then either forgot them or couldn’t remember where they were…… What a beautiful show these bulbs now make. Perhaps we will forgive the squirrels their greed!

Our 'stolen' crocuses several years on.
Our ‘stolen’ crocuses several years on.

Litter pick March 2014 (17) (800x600)

Sunshine for March Litter Pick

Today’s litter pick took place in glorious sunshine and 11 people were tempted out to help us at our first litter collection in 2014.  I am glad to report that, despite the fact that we collect 9 bags full, generally the site was pretty litter free.

work and relaxation in the sun!
work and relaxation in the sun!

Litter pick March 2014 (8) (800x600) Litter pick March 2014 (21) (800x600) Litter pick March 2014 (22) (800x600)

 

 

 

This first litter pick always uncovers litter that previously remained unseen in the shrubbery and the recent high winds have meant that flower paper had collected in many of the corners of the site. Our thanks to all our supporters, some of whom you can see above- but especially to the family that traveled from Acocks Green after seeing this event on our web site. We hope to see you again!

‘Spring Clean’ Litter Pick in Brandwood End Cemetery

Just a reminder to all those who support us and a appeal to anyone new who feels they can spare a couple of hours to help keep this cemetery litter free. We will be meeting at the Lodge on the main drive at 10am on Saturday March 1st. Suitable stout footwear, outer clothing and gloves are especially important following the recent heavy rainfall- but we will have plenty of litter pickers and bags!
Please note that in the event of high winds, heavy rain or snow this event will not take place as these weathelitter pick 003r conditions could raise safety issues.

A date for your diary! Tuesday March 18th.

 Many of the regular visitors to Brandwood End Cemetery are aware of the large number of Military Graves that lie within (Over 350).  Following Remembrance Sunday each year these graves are even more identifiable as the Friends place ‘Poppy Crosses’ on every grave. Most of these graves are scattered throughout the cemetery but what most people do not realise is that we have a small Military section.   The area surrounding this section has, over time, lost its defined boundary so with the help of funding from Veolia, the Friends will be planting a new boundary hedge of native hawthorn.

a_section_33_militaryAt 10.30am on the morning of Tuesday March 18th the Friends will be joined on site by The Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoress, children from St Albans RC Primary School, and staff from Bereavements Services and Quadron  Services who will be working together to plant 350 hawthorn shrubs to redefine this boundary.

The Friends and Bereavements staff have met on site with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to agree the design and size of this hedge as their requirements are quite specific. Please come along, with your spade, if you would like to help.

 

Birmingham Mail reveal funding share to ‘Wish campaign’ members.

IMG_6571 (800x600)Birmingham Mail have today announced the portion of the £25,000 fund that has been allocated to each of the selected groups. Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery received over 4500 tokens, collected by their supporters and we have been awarded just over £103.00

Thanks again to all our supporters who collected the vouchers and sent them on to us. We are always looking for funding sources for small projects that we are undertaking within the Cemetery.  Follow our ‘blog’ to see what we are working on now.

 

Carols at Kings Norton Cemetery

A Carol Service will be held at Kings Norton Cemetery on Saturday 14th December at 2pm, Rev John White and Pastor Brooks are officiating at the service which will be held outside the office, the event is being sponsored by Goodridge Milford Funeral Directors and following the service there will be refreshments available.
Bereavements Department have planted a memorial Christmas tree and invite people to place a card on the tree and make a donation to the Macmillan Charity.
Hopefully, if this event is a success, we may see a similar service at Brandwood End Cemetery next December.

Last litter pick of 2013!

Just a reminder to all those who support us and a appeal to anyone new who feels they can spare a couple of hours to help keep this cemetery litter free. Meet at the Lodge on the main drive at 10am this Sunday, 1st December. Please wear suitable stout footwear, outer clothing and gloves but we have plenty of litter pickers and bags!
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERACan we take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported our litter picks in 2013 and if you cant make this one, we look forward to seeing you in 2014. Watch this blog for  confirmation of dates.