Recently The Friends received a request relating to a possible WW1 soldier’s grave within Brandwood End Cemetery. After initial investigations this story developed even further, so if you are interested in the story of everyday people and the effects WW1 had on their lives then follow the link below. Our part in the story comes very near to the end but, as you will see, could be very significant!
I am pleased to report that we have been able to give the hedge surrounding the Civilian Garden of Remembrance a well needed trim today. Its great to see how well established it has become and we hope that our recent hedge around nearby War Graves will follow suit!
I am afraid heavy rain throughout this exercise meant that we had to be very quick collecting hedge cuttings and possibly missed some, so take care.
We are always looking for help maintaining this garden area and especially removing the grass/weeds that grow under the hedges. If you could help FBEC with this – please contact us at friendsofbec@gmail.com
I am sure the pupils of St Albans Primary School will be proud of their planting efforts as their hedge has helped create a private and peaceful area for quiet reflection.
Yesterday the large Oak tree on ‘Oak Tree Island’ was felled and today the stump was ground out in readiness for the installation of a World War One Memorial on the site.
The tree had fallen foul of a serious fungal disease which had weakened its trunk and made it a danger. Time moves on and trees don’t last forever but we will all be sad that it has gone. A replacement tree on the same spot would not be suitable as there may be fungal spores within the soil.
Oak Tree Island has long been used as a ‘signpost’ to other areas of the cemetery from the main drive. Hopefully the memorial to be installed at this point will take on this role.
Lots of local residents attended the Community Event at Monyhull Church today and members of FBEC spoke to many people about the future of the chapels and the condition of the cemetery in general. It is obvious that local residents are concerned about the deteriorating condition of the chapels and are keen to know if a solution is in sight.
The Brandwood Centre, Jasmin Fields Nature Reserve, Brandwood Pool and Brandwood Forum were also represented at the event and were able to gather a few additional volunteers to help at future events on their sites.
In these times of financial constraints it is even more vital for local volunteer groups to support each other and share man power and equipment. Working together we can also spread the word about the very varied volunteering opportunities each group may have to offer.
Today’s event showed yet again what a varied and vibrant area Brandwood is !
Our Friends at Ward End Park have attended several FBEC events and often lend us quantities of spades to cope with our visiting school ‘planters’. Today it was our turn to visit their park for the launch of their Tree Trail and Sculpture leaflet.
Graham, who carved these marvellous sculptures, discusses the difficulties in working with such large pieces of Oak.
Luckily the rain that was forecast only made a brief appearance and everyone was able to walk the whole trail, viewing both trees and sculptures, before being provided with a lovely lunch by The Friends.
Year 3 and 6 pupils and Teachers from Woodthorpe J and I school enjoyed a day long visit to Brandwood Pool to investigate the ‘bugs and beasties’ both on the land and in the water.
They were joined by members of the Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery and Brandwood Pool who helped supervise the pond dipping.
The pupils were fascinated by the large number of frogs that were around the area and also the larvae in the pond. Luckily the sun shone all day and they all agreed that they would love to come back for another days adventure around the pool. The visit was arranged as part of the schools ECO week and it is hoped it will give the pupils a better understanding of biodiversity and the important part even the smallest creature has to insure the future of the planet.
…….or Thursday the 3rd of July to be precise, you may find children from Woodthorpe Junior and Infant school pond dipping and creating wild life habitats as part of their ECO week. Brandwood Pocket Park and Pool form part of the area adjacent to the cemetery and the Friends of Brandwood Pool will be helping the children with their project. Both Woodthorpe School and St Albans School frequently involve their pupils in events within the cemetery and at the pool as both schools lie close to the cemetery.
Hopefully the weather will be kind and the only water will be in the pool!
Regular visitors to Brandwood End Cemetery will know that for many years a beautiful Oak tree has been a significant land mark on the main drive. They will also be aware that there has been concern over its ‘healthy and safety’ for the last couple of years and as a result it was severely cut back. It was hoped that this would reduce the weight of the upper area whilst investigations into some suspicious fungi were carried out. Sadly the results are now in….and the news is not good. We have reproduced below the statement that Bereavement Services have posted on their web site.
It is with great sadness that we have to report that the Oak Tree, a well-loved cemetery feature, is suffering from Inonotus dryadeus. This a disease which causes a white rot which attacks the lower roots and base. Unfortunately the rot has spread throughout the tree and it is therefore necessary to fell it. The removal will take place over the next few weeks.
Since we are unable to save the tree we are planning to make good use of the Oak Tree Island and will be developing a Memorial Garden to commemorate World War 1.
The Friends have spoken to the Tree Officer and Bereavement Services staff to discuss some other possible ideas suggested by our members. The trunk area is too rotten to consider carving the remaining trunk into a feature and the spores of the fungus will have contaminated the soil and could pose a risk to any replacement tree at this spot.
However, it appears that its space will be filled by an equally impressive WW1 memorial area. We all look forward to its completion.
FBEC are hoping to take part in Heritage Open Week in September this year. If all goes according to plan we hope to be able to lead a couple of informative walks around ww1 graves of interest and display some photographs and memorabilia from ww1 in the Lodge. Watch this space! As we are few in number we will probably confine our activities to one day over the weekend of 13/14 September. If any of our members have items they feel may be of interest, and would be prepared to allow us to display them securely in the Lodge at the cemetery- please contact us via this site or e mail us at friendsofbec@gmail.com
Today was our quarterly litter pick at Brandwood End Cemetery. Our apologies for not posting a reminder on the News Feed on our site but time overtook us! There is a full list of dates posted elsewhere on this site. Luckily there was a respite from the continual rain so hopefully everyone enjoyed their task.