Category: Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery
Last gardening work party of 2023
The Friends have had half a dozen work parties in the cemetery but todays was the final one of 2023. As usual our aim was to remove as many self set Holly saplings from graves as possible. Many of the ‘saplings’ had now grown to cover several graves and hampered families in their genealogy searches or in many cases prevented the tending of these graves.
Today we managed to uncover several graves and one was particularly interesting. Watch this site for more information. To our surprise over a dozen people turned up to help. Some stayed all of the session, some stayed an hour or so. All worked really hard to uncover graves.
A story from this stone? Eleven full bags awaiting collection.
Two of our volunteers have been concentrating on the Civilian Garden of Remembrance and beds have been tidied and under hedges cleared. An amazing impact created by Sue and Ray.
Without our volunteers we would not be able to complete all the projects that we do- so can we give them all a huge thank you and wish everyone a Peaceful and Merry Christmas, as we all settle down for some family and personal time.
Wonderful Carols!
Our thanks the pupils and staff of St Albans R C Primary who gave their time to come and sing in the Cemetery today.
This was an experiment this year but was an all out success so we hope they will repeat it next year.
They sang a mix of traditional and modern carols with onlookers singing along. Well done to everyone.
Gardening Event Saturday 16th
Our last chance in 2023 to help clear some of the self set Holly and shrubbery engulfing some graves in the cemetery. We have tools but welcome manpower.
Carols with St Albans R C Primary pupils
Please come and support the pupils of St Albans R C Primary as they spread some Christmas cheer with festive carols. They are at the mercy of the weather and will have no technical back up, but the Friends are sure their voices will be all we require.
SNOW….. and our Litter Pick.
A scattering of snow means slippy sliding foot issues! With this in mind we do not expect to see many of you. We will be there for a shorter period from 10 till 11am, as we have other things to check, but expect to see most of you at our Gardening Event on December 16th or at our next Spring Litter Pick. MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL, AND THANKS FOR YOU HELP AT ALL OUR LITTER PICK.
Hedgehogs become independent.
Our newly introduced Hedgehogs have had waitress service daily , but now they are on their own. I doubt any of you will see one of them as they only emerge at night. If you do spot one, let us or Array4hogs know.
DECEMBER 3RD LITTER PICK
Final reminder for Sunday 3rd December LITTER PICK. 10AM-11.30AM.Meet at the Lodge. We have the bags and pickers, just need the manpower. Wrap up warm, Christmas hats welcomed, and suitable stout footwear. Last litter pick of 2023.
Hedgehog population boost.
Our thanks to Array4Hogs as they are working with the Friends to help boost the Hedgehog population in the rewilded areas of the cemetery.
Array4hogs, run by Sharon and her team of volunteers, is a local rescue centre who have had to cope with over 170 rescued Hedgehogs this year. The cemetery offers 53 acres of relatively safe environment in which to release Hedgehogs. They may pop up in your garden if you are within a couple of miles of the cemetery as they can travel several miles at night.
Soon they will be settling down for the Winter but on warmer nights they may still pop out! Thank you to Sharon and Alan for agreeing to use the cemetery as a release site and their time today.
Brandwood End in Autumn.
Thank you Gary Staples for producing this beautiful photo.