Whilst taking part in today’s Gardening sessions our volunteers uncovered a number of buried headstones whilst removing Holly and shrubs. This shrub removal is part of a longer project over the winter to uncover many more buried headstones.
Category: Gardening
Flood defences work.
The new flood drains adjacent to Sunderton Road did their job well in the recent downpours but a possible problem was spotted. The rewilded area to the rear of the drains needed cutting back and leaves removing. Step forward the Friends. This morning they cleared the leaves and brambles, carefully avoiding any wildlife habitat that had been created. Well done to all.
Gardening reminder.
Final reminder for our Gardening Day coming up on Sunday. Come and join us 11am till 2pm. Boots and gloves are advisable. Meet near the Cross of Sacrifice. 
Hedge tamed again.
We are again indebted to the Grounds Maintenance team for the help we receive in taming the Civilian Garden Hedge. It makes such a difference to the way it looks and despite our ‘cut’ a couple of months ago we can never cut as hard back as the professionals.
Gardening help needed
October Gardening Event
On Sunday the 29th October we will be holding the first of our Winter Gardening and Shrubbery removal sessions.
The October event is always important as it is our last chance to tidy the Civilian Garden and its hedge, as well as the hedge around the Cross of Sacrifice- ready for the Remembrance Sunday Service.
We will be in the cemetery from 11am till 2pm so please come and join us if you have any time to spare during those hours. We have the tools and we have the gloves, all we need is the ‘person’ power !
Its an ill wind ….or rain !
You may remember, not so long ago, Valley Contractors kindly donated and laid turf to tidy up the entrance to the lodge. Look at it now! The rain and meticulous watering by a couple of committee members have meant its now knitted in and thriving.
Our thanks to Valley Contractors
Pre-Covid the two flower beds adjacent to the Lodge ramp were planted twice a year with Geraniums and Pansies by Birmingham Parks and Nurseries staff, but in the last round of financial cuts this service was discontinued. FBEC had been planting the area since but we found it beyond our manpower capacity and finances. After discussion with the Cemetery Managers it was agreed that these two beds would be turfed, when BCC funding and man power allowed.
Greg and Sarah from Valley Contractors to the Rescue ! They heard about our plight and popped in and did the one side and now they have done it all. We will diligently water this half and it will soon be gloriously green, as the other side now is.
Nat West staff work hard in the cemetery.
We were lucky enough to be approached by Nat West staff to do some volunteer work in the cemetery for us. Our thanks to one of their team who also happens to be a supporter! Shout out to Tracy Egan….
A really busy day of weeding, bramble removal and section marker cleaning. What’s even better is that they want to come back and do it again ! Thank you all for your marvellous work.
Special thank you to Piers for taking time to try out the Rest and Reflect Trail, due to be launched on Thursday. Special mention to Tony. who helped us move all the bramble back to the yard. It will mean a reduced Blackberry crop this year but the Brambles were strangling the other shrubs.