Category: Information

Stories from the Stones.

I am afraid that, due to circumstances beyond our control, we have had to suspend our Stories from the Stones project for a short period.  The original organisers and sponsors of the project were ‘Caring for Gods Acre’ but their support was limited to 2 years and that expired at the end of last year.

We have managed to hold some recording events since but need to reorganise our team as we want to make every effort to continue with the valuable recording of grave inscriptions for posterity.

Please watch this page for details of when these events will re-commence and we hope to include some weekend opportunities as requested !

Successful Local Community Get Together.

What a fantastic event, organised by Suze Cater and her team, to get all the local community groups from Kings Heath, Brandwood and Billesley together to showcase what they can offer to the public. It also gave a chance for us all, including FBEC, to network and see how we can work together in the future on projects and grant applications.

It gave us all an opportunity to meet the local Councillors and other members with influence in areas that could help the Friends of Brandwood End. A Sunday afternoon well spent by 4 of our committee members! We have had such a busy few days and we haven’t finished yet…….

Drainage work continues.

Work is continuing at the lower end of the cemetery site, adjacent to Broad Lane. Today contractors from the Gas Board and Water Board were working outside the cemetery fence but extensive work continues inside. This is all part of a flood alleviation scheme but became extended when contractors damaged a gas main. Looks like it is all back on track now.

Mothering Sunday Traffic appeal.

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!

Lots to look forward to !

Winter is a quiet time in Brandwood End but the Friends have been working away in the background on a number of projects.

We are creating a number of ‘Trail sheets’ that will cover Heritage items, trees, interesting graves, fascinating memorials, quiet corners to rest and take in the wildlife and trees plus measured routes to stroll, with distances and surface types to encourage the less able to enjoy them as well.

The sheet below, kindly produced by committee member Lisa Fair, highlights some of the cemetery heritage- both historical and ecological.

Civilian Garden in the spotlight.

Today we were able to tell the story of the Civilian Garden of Remembrance and those that lie within.

Many of our visitors today had no  idea that  this peaceful area of reflection existed and certainly knew nothing of those buried within.

 

With the help of Matt Felkin and his wealth of knowledge,  we were able to answer many questions about Civilian casualties and local areas that received bomb damage.

Our thanks again to everyone that helped us deliver this Heritage Event and those who took the time to visit us, especially in this strange time of public mourning.

Avoid the risk of Fires in Brandwood End.

Just a timely reminder that, as was recently seen in a cemetery down south, cemeteries are not immune to raging fires in this heat.  Brandwood End is tinder dry.  Broken glass and shiny objects can concentrate the sun and start fires in this heat.  Please take care what you leave near/on your family grave. An empty/broken glass object can be enough to start a fire .

We have noticed the occasional candle in a jar- please dont do this! Animals knock them over. Normally just a broken jar ensues, but at the moment this could cause a serious fire threatening not just the beautiful cemetery but nearby properties.

Please think before you leave any reflective item at this time.  Take care and Thankyou.

Only woman with a Commonwealth War Grave in Brandwood End.

We have over 200 Commonwealth War Graves in Brandwood End but only one of them is remembering a woman. CORPORAL MARY EMILY STEVENS DIED IN 1944 AGED JUST 25. Follow the link to discover more about Mary and also the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) 1939 – 1949.

FBEC – CORPORAL MARY EMILY STEVENS.pdf

Our thanks To David Harop for the photograph of Mary. During our research we are often able to contact relatives  and  other researchers who kindly share information with us. We also work closely with several local History Groups and individuals who have researched War Graves.

Mary’s grave will be one of the 350+ graves that will receive a Poppy Cross prior to Remembrance Sunday in a project undertaken annual by the Friends and their supporters.

Politics is in the news!

All things political seem to be on the agenda at this time so we thought we would highlight a local politician buried in Brandwood End.  His name is probably not known to many but if you read on you may remember ELDRED HARRIS  in future.

FBEC – ELDRED HALLAS MP

Our thanks to our member and  Historian, Pat Franklin  for her input to this article.

FBEC are sharing this historical research as part of National Cemeteries week.