This year we are commemorating 75 years since the end of the Second World War.

VE Day took place on 8 May 1945, the day after Nazi Germany surrendered. It marked the end of nearly six years of conflict in Europe during which time many thousands of people had contributed to the war effort and served their country.

For many, VE Day was a day of celebration. Bunting was hung in the streets and people danced with friends and neighbours. Many people gathered outside Buckingham Palace to catch a glimpse of King George VI, who gave a radio broadcast at 9.00pm, and the future Queen Elizabeth II.

However, for some it was a day of mixed emotions. Many people had lost friends or family members to the conflict and were grieving. Meanwhile, the conflict in the Far East continued and many people were still serving overseas. Japan did not surrender until 15 August 1945 when VJ Day (Victory over Japan Day) was announced.

Brandwood End contains one hundred WW2 Military graves, as recorded by the Commonweath War Graves Commission. These graves are generally marked with similar headstones that are easily recognisable.

We also have a large number of civilian graves, as there were many bombing raids across the City. Some civilians lie in family graves but many are buried in our Civilian Garden of Remembrance.

Every year, in the weeks running up to Remembrance Sunday, the Friends and supporters place Poppy Crosses on 350+ graves in the cemetery, to remember those lost in conflicts from WW1 to present day.

 

Please note- There are additional opening hours for this Bank Holiday- Friday the 8th May.    

Brandwood End will be open from 9am till 4pm Friday                Kings Norton will be open from 1-6pm Friday. 

Normal opening for Brandwood End remains 4.30-6.30pm weekdays and Noon till 4pm Weekends, but is subject to change at short notice.

Please spread the information about Friday to anyone you think may be considering a visit.

 

 

 

 

All these beautiful blooms were photographed today in the cemetery. A sure sign that spring has sprung and summer is on it’s way. Too soon the blossoms will fall and create a carpet of flowers along the roadways.

 

Longstanding invasive ivy has been cleared from the walls, guttering and behind the window Perspex screens of the Lodge on our Main Drive.

The rear garden and boundary hedge has been cleared and replanted.

 

 

 

 

This is a real improvement to this side of the building and yet again gives another example of the ‘above and beyond’ efforts made by Tony Purcell and his Brandwood Cemetery team of Ground Staff .  Thank you gentlemen and well done.

*Can we make it clear that this has been a long term project started before lockdown, and a labour of love undertaken in their own time. At present everyone is concentrating on essential work so similar projects are all on hold.

 

What a difference six months makes!

On the 27^th Nov 2019 during National Tree Week, the Friends were joined on site by the Lord-Lieutenant of the West Midlands (John Crabtree) along with his wife Mrs. Diana Crabtree and pupils from year 6 at St. Alban’s Catholic Primary School.

The planting event was organised by Birmingham Trees for Life Charity and the Friends – part of a planting of 10 more trees as part of our on-going replacement tree project.

Today’s picture shows just one of these 10 beautiful trees- Browers Beauty – Malus Toringo- now in full blossom !

 

 

 

 

We are pleased to report that our Chairman had reason to go into the cemetery today and found the grass was now cut and all looking good. Can we add another thought here, that due to financial cuts we are sure that Birmingham has reduced their cutting regime in Parks and Cemeteries. As grass cutting has just commenced this will be the first season in 2020 that this change will be noticeable. The plus side is that this cutting schedule is beneficial to flora and fauna.

 

CHANGE TO CEMETERY OPENING TIMES

Access will remain between 4.30-6.30pm weekdays, but weekend opening will now be 12 noon – 4pm only.

 

At time of posting, the Friends are receiving lots of enquiries about the lack of grass cutting in the Cemetery.

We can only presume that the cutting is affected in the same way as roadside and parks are. This is probably due to staff shortages within the City grass cutting team with staff members in isolation.

Please try to be understanding and we are sure that this will be rectified as soon as is possible. Can we reiterate that Ground staff have no control over the main cutting of the grass, which is done by a grass cutting team, but everyone concerned will be trying to get the cemetery spick and span as soon as the present situation allows.

 

Can we just reiterate the published opening times at Brandwood End during these unusual times. They are 4.30-6.30pm , seven days a week. I understand, from some visitors, that they have been told by Bereavement staff that the gates may be open additional hours on days when there is not a funeral but obviously that is subject to staffing and circumstances.

We know there were some issues over the weekend about access but this is new to everyone, so please be understanding.

 

This busy Woodpecker can often be seen in the Cemetery. Here he is on a feeder in a back garden adjacent to the cemetery.