Please note the hours that the Cemetery is open during the summer months. We are pleased to see that BCC have decided to keep the later evening opening, as it was very popular during Covid as it enabled people who were at work to visit graves on their way home
Just a reminder– There have been no Bereavements Services staff based in the Lodge at Brandwood End for a number of years. The red phone box opposite the lodge is no longer in operation.
Contact for ALL Cemetery offices will now be via central number 0121 216 2000 and email to bereavement.services@ birmingham.gov.uk
Lest we forget.
Unfortunately an emergency call out was necessary to take down a tree that was dangerously leaning against another. Well done to the Tree maintenance team who attended.
Visitors to the cemetery will be rewarded with a magnificent array of blossom at the moment. Pick a dry sunny day and enjoy!
This morning we were in Brandwood End, which was very busy as it was Mothering Sunday. Can we firstly remind everyone that there is a 5mph speed limit in the cemetery. Many cars were travelling well in excess of this causing a dangerous hazard as there were many pedestrians.
Secondly we were horrified to see vehicles parking on verges and churning up the grass adjacent to graves. The side drives were not designed for cars to be visiting so please do not drive on the grass to pass vehicles. Use another avenue or park on the main drive and walk ! Several people who had resisted parking on the verges were then being verbally abused by others who wanted to pass. Again. Use another avenue or park and walk.
This is a cemetery and people are visiting loved ones, please all show some respect!
The Friends know that many of you will be visiting graves on Mothering Sunday and leaving flowers. Can we appeal again to ask that, if you are not frequent visitors, you remove the wrapping paper (Especially cellophane), as when the flowers die- they rot and return to the soil over time. The paper that surrounds them, especially cellophane are silver/gold paper NEVER does. It becomes lightweight and then blows around the cemetery in the wind. If we are lucky one of our litter picking volunteers will collect it but if not it may get shredded in the blades of the sit on mowers ! Either way, it can end up making the environment unpleasant.
If you are a frequent visitor then we presume you always remove dead flowers etc but many of those that do come to Brandwood End travel a distance and may get only a few opportunities to visit. If this is you- Please consider removing any flower paper. Also try not to leave ‘Glass’ vases etc as they do get smashed by Frost, Squirrels and Ravens and last summer caused great concern as a source of fire ignition in the cemetery.
Finally can we ask that any artificial flowers are well secured, as they often suffer the same fate as the paper- which is sad as many of them are beautiful and obviously bought with love.
Thank you again in anticipation of your assistance in this matter.
FBEC Committee
Another forward date for your diary. Please visit our events page and watch this site for more information. 2023 is a busy year for events in Brandwood End.
Bat walk
Friday May 19th
20:00pm- 22:00pm at the farm gate Bayston Road, Opp Kinsey Grove
Explore the night with Brum Bats and the Ranger Service on a Bat walk through Jasmin fields and along the canal to finish at Brandwood Pool.
All are welcome but you will need to bring a powerful torch and wear suitable outdoor clothing including sturdy footwear.
Under 18’s must be supervised
The Friends will be taking part in Heritage Open in September this year so keep the week 11-17th free.
We will be hosting Caring for God’s Acre and their Stories from the Stones on the 13th and then a Lichen specialist will be leading a walk on the 15th. Watch this site for additional events and booking instructions nearer the time.
Earlier this month the Friends of Brandwood End enjoyed working with Our Scene CIC on their latest project Bench to Bench, to promote ‘walking, laughing and sitting chatting in lovely our door settings in Brandwood. This project, which includes our neighbouring Friends at Dawberry Fields Park, is also aimed at recommending accessible walks for people with mobility issues.
The poster below invites the very people this is aimed at to come along and share their thoughts on what is needed to entice them to visit, sit and chat in these areas more often. The first meeting has taken place but Suze Carter is still keen to involve anyone with mobility issues to become involved in the designs. The next get together will be in the Lodge at a date to be arranged so watch this site and our Facebook page for more information.
