Seventeen members of the public joined Ian Binnie on a fascinating walk around the cemetery to visit nine military graves, all of whom died in 1944. It was interesting to learn that several of them had been killed in accidents and not on active service.
We welcomed Deutsche Bank staff back to the Cemetery today to continue helping us to clear some of the more overgrown areas . Luckily the weather was relatively settled so we were all able to clear a large section in the time they were on site.
FBEC rely on the help of volunteers and corporate groups to be able to continue uncovering graves buried under shrubs and Ivy and clearing self set trees.
We are pleased to say that we still have several groups booked in for the remainder of this year so should be able to make inroads in other sections of the cemetery.
Our thanks to all our volunteers for giving up their time.
On the 13th April 2024 we not only celebrated the 125th anniversary of the opening of Brandwood End Cemetery but we also remember the first burial in Brandwood End. A five year old small boy called Charles Downes who died of Diphtheria.
This year the Friends will be hosting several events at Brandwood End Cemetery. If you would like to reserve a place at any event or have any queries then please contact us by e mail on friendsofbec@gmail.com or phone 07811393259. All events are also listed on the National Heritage Open site and the Birmingham Heritage Open event site.
8th SEPTEMBER – FRIDAY – ZOOM TALK Ian Binnie – 7.30pm-8.30pm – Gallipoli and Brandwood End (Ian is the Education Officer for the Gallipoli Association) He will also be on site Tuesday.
12th SEPTEMBER – TUESDAY – GRAVES WALK Ian Binnie – 11am-12pm – Gallipoli and Brandwood End – Start at the Lodge
13th SEPTEMBER – WEDNESDAY – STORIES FROM THE STONES FBEC Memorial / Headstone Inscription Recording – 1000am-1200pm –Assemble at The Lodge. Be part of this larger project to record inscriptions and condition of memorials on to a digital map, for future generations.
15th SEPTEMBER – FRIDAY – LICHEN STROLL SESSIONS X 2 Shirley Hancock – 10.30am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-1500pm – Start at the Lodge. Learn more about the secret world of Lichen. It is everywhere but do we really know anything about it? (A magnifying device would be helpful but not essential)
16th SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY – MEET THE FRIENDS (FBEC)1100am-1400pm – The Lodge –Maps of measured routes in the cemetery, children’s painted stones trail – colouring competition etc. Find out what the Friends have been doing and our future plans. Enjoy a chance to look through some of our extensive research. No need to book for this event just come along and partake in a chat and tea/coffee- provided by ‘Chatty Chatty Brum Brum’.
Just a reminder that FBEC will be working with Caring for Gods Acre again on this project throughout 2023. This will be our third year. Unfortunately they had to cancel the March event due to snow and ice ! The next event will be 10th April. This is a fascinating project and a chance for you to take part in recording this information for future generations. Contact Josie to reserve a place at any, or all, of these FREE events.
We thought this webinaire may interest some of our followers. Please book via the link below.
Gill Binnie, 21 November 2022 1-2 pm at BMI
Our partnership with Caring for God’s Acre to record all the inscriptions on headstones to populate a digital map of Brandwood End is coming to a close but during Heritage week they kindly led a session for the public in the hope that we may prolong its demise!
Those of you that follow a series on Chanel 5 called ‘Planes that won the War’ will have seen, in the episode screened on the 1st of July, the story of 8 Air man who lost their lives when their Lancaster crashed into ‘Ben Eighe’, a mountain in Scotland. The crash site was very remote, and still is.
One of those lost, their Navigator, lived very locally and is buried in Brandwood End. We hope to feature his story in the near future, so watch this space.
Should any of his relatives read this, please contact us at friendsofbec@gmail.com as we would love to know more.
We do hope you have enjoyed reading the research we have posted and we remind you that there are 86000+ graves in Brandwood End, so lots more to do ! We welcome anyone who would like to join us doing long term research.
We also highlighted the gardening and general tidying work that the Friends do- and again we are always welcoming, as an extra pair of hands helps spread the load.
The Friends are always in need of supporters to help with weeding in the Civilian Garden of Remembrance as the two large round beds are now well established and ground cover plants are flourishing but weeds still are an issue. We had a very successful rota but I am afraid most of the volunteers have either moved away or feel physically unable to continue. Weeding there can be done when ever you want but we do need to know before you go for insurance purposes. A text to 07811393259 or an e mail to friendsofbec@gmail.com is equally acceptable. If you would rather work in a group then let us know and we will arrange w work party for a few of us. We hope one of our supporters can help.
A huge thankyou to those that already go above and beyond to assist.
