Tag: community

September 4, 2014

Bat Walk Reminder!

Explore the night with Brum Bats and the Ranger Service on a Bat walk through Jasmin fields Nature Reserve along the canal, through the cemetery to finish at Brandwood Pool.

Thursday 11th September 7.30-9pm meet at the Farm gate on Bayston Rd, facing Kinsey Grove B14 5AR

All ages welcome but under 16’s must be supervised.You will need to bring a Powerful torch and wear outdoor clothing and sturdy footwear.

Please contact the Ranger Service to book 0121 675 0937 – Spaces are limited so you will need to book in advance.

July 5, 2014

Archivist needed!

FBEC are looking for an interested member of the public to take on the volunteer role of ‘Archivist’. This will not be a very time consuming role but we feel that it is important that we keep material such as news cuttings and photographs etc in an orderly fashion for future reference.

It would require a person with access to a computer, a scanner and the internet ……and also an interest in preserving information.

If you think you can help us please contact FBEC via this web site or e mail friendsofbec@gmail.com for more information.

Jane Edwards (Chairman FBEC)

March 18, 2014

Lord Mayor joins local school at Veolia sponsored event in cemetery

We wish we could say that the sun shone today as it has done for the last week- but it didn’t. That didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of pupils from St Alban’s RC Primary School who came along to the cemetery to help plant hawthorn whips around a Commonwealth War Graves Commission burial area. Brandwood End is home to over 300 war graves but there is only one small area where graves lie in rows on a specially maintained area of grassland. This area is now enclosed by a new hawthorn hedge.

We were pleased to welcome lots of visitors to the site as well as the pupils. Representatives of Veolia Environmental Services, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, New Vision, Bereavement Services, Quadron Contractors and local residents were joined by the Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoress.

Following a busy morning planting they all enjoyed refreshments and a chance to talk to the Lord Mayor about his role and his regalia.

Well done!

March 2, 2014

FBEC AGM 2014

You are invited to the Annual General Meeting of the Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery which is to be held on Thursday 10th April at 7.30 pm. Please note that we have changed the venue back to St Bedes Church, Bryndale Ave, B14 6NG. We hope returning to this venue will increase attendance at our AGM as we need your support at our meetings. Copies of the Annual Report and the Audited Accounts will be presented and circulated to the members. Following the meeting these will be posted on our website www.fbec.org.uk.

March 2, 2014

Missing crocus bulbs found!!

Several years ago the members of FBEC spent back breaking hours planting patches of aconites, snowdrops and several thousand crocuses. You may have enjoyed the aconites and snowdrops as you strolled along the main drive but only 2 clumps of crocuses remain near the Oak Tree Island. Much to our annoyance all of the remaining crocus bulbs were dug up and, as far as we were concerned, eaten by the squirrels! Apparently they are a favourite with them…….. Today, whilst litter picking close to D1 we suddenly noticed a shimmering patch of blue.

One of 2 remaining crocus clumps!

On closer investigation we discovered a swathe of blue crocuses in an area that we would never have planted in! It would appear that one or two of the greedy squirrels dug up our bulbs and reburied them in their ‘larder’ area and then either forgot them or couldn’t remember where they were…… What a beautiful show these bulbs now make. Perhaps we will forgive the squirrels their greed!

Our ‘stolen’ crocuses several years on.

March 2, 2014

Sunshine for March Litter Pick

Today’s litter pick took place in glorious sunshine and 11 people were tempted out to help us at our first litter collection in 2014. I am glad to report that, despite the fact that we collect 9 bags full, generally the site was pretty litter free.

work and relaxation in the sun!

This first litter pick always uncovers litter that previously remained unseen in the shrubbery and the recent high winds have meant that flower paper had collected in many of the corners of the site. Our thanks to all our supporters, some of whom you can see above- but especially to the family that traveled from Acocks Green after seeing this event on our web site. We hope to see you again!

February 25, 2014

Remember how muddy and waterlogged our Cemeteries may be at the moment and come prepared!

Please can we remind you that most of the burial areas within Brandwood End and Kings Norton do not lie adjacent to pathways and due to the exceptional rainfall they are often very muddy and waterlogged. Suitable footwear when visiting graves is essential.

Bereavements, in this area, have been able to continue with burials but had to restrict the daily numbers as the instability of the waterlogged ground has meant the use of heavy machinery has had to be limited.

We understand that this is a very emotional time for families but can we please ask you to have some understanding of the difficulties and be mindful of the fact that many areas have totally suspended their burial services due to ground instability.

FBEC thank you, on behalf of Bereavement Services, for your patience and understanding in these unusual conditions.

Jane Edwards (Chairman-Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery)

February 13, 2014

‘Spring Clean’ Litter Pick in Brandwood End Cemetery

Just a reminder to all those who support us and a appeal to anyone new who feels they can spare a couple of hours to help keep this cemetery litter free. We will be meeting at the Lodge on the main drive at 10am on Saturday March 1st. Suitable stout footwear, outer clothing and gloves are especially important following the recent heavy rainfall- but we will have plenty of litter pickers and bags!
Please note that in the event of high winds, heavy rain or snow this event will not take place as these weather conditions could raise safety issues.

February 10, 2014

Birmingham Mail reveal funding share to ‘Wish campaign’ members.

Birmingham Mail have today announced the portion of the £25,000 fund that has been allocated to each of the selected groups. Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery received over 4500 tokens, collected by their supporters and we have been awarded just over £103.00

Thanks again to all our supporters who collected the vouchers and sent them on to us. We are always looking for funding sources for small projects that we are undertaking within the Cemetery. Follow our ‘blog’ to see what we are working on now.

December 28, 2013

Seasons Greetings to all our supporters from Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery

2013 has been a year when Friends of Brandwood End have had to take a step back and think again about the way they want to move forward in 2014. We were all very disappointed when Birmingham City Council had to withdraw their financial support for a lottery bid relating to the twin terracotta mortuary chapels at the centre of the cemetery. Along with many local organisations we saw the time when Birmingham would be in a position to support any bid we proposed move further and further away. We are now working with Bereavements Department to investigate alternative fund raising options but in the meantime we will continue with our other achievable projects within the cemetery, whilst keeping the chapels at the front of our campaign.