Tag: community

Important Notice to Grave Owners

We have reproduced this important notice, which is now on prominent display in Brandwood End Cemetery, concerning the removal of trees and shrubs from graves. It is self explanatory. If you know anyone who has a grave in Brandwood End but does not visit frequently- please draw this to their attention.

Notice to Grave Owners

This notice is to advise “Grave Owners” of their responsibilities to comply with the Municipal Rules and Regulations.

In accordance with these Rules and Regulations, any trees, shrubs or flowers planted on graves must not become unsightly or overgrown or encroach on adjacent graves and must not exceed 2ft in height.

To reduce the risk of injury to passers – by or damage to memorials, and to help us to keep the cemetery in good order, we are asking “Grave Owners” to remove or prune items which contravene these Rules and Regulations. In the event that “Grave Owners” have not done so by 16th November 2015, cemetery employees will be carrying out a programme of removal.

If you have any concerns regarding this please contact Kings Norton Cemetery

0121 303 5583

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Hedge gets ‘short back and sides’ ……again!

One of our members pointed out that the hedge surrounding the Civilian Garden of Remembrance had suddenly shot up….despite being cut well back in June so three of the Friends took the shears to the top on Saturday morning! It looks a little better now. We hope to do its final cut just before the Remembrance Day event, so it looks spick and span that day so we will be appealing for assistance nearer that time.

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Whilst on site we gave the new hedge, surrounding the adjacent War Graves, a quick cut as well but it hasn’t started to thicken up yet. We are still always looking for people who visit the cemetery and have spare time to weed under the hedge on both sites. What needs doing is fairly obvious!

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Heritage Open Events

We are afraid that the Friends and Brandwood End Cemetery will not be holding an event during this years Heritage Open Week as we currently lack the capacity to deliver an event to the standard of the one you may have experienced last year- but fear not! We hope to be able to participate on site next year and instead, in celebration of our 10th year as a Friends Group,IMG_8316 IMG_8317 we have installed displays in Kings Heath and Druids Heath Libraries that we hope you will enjoy.

Can we thank the staff at both libraries who have helped us in this venture and seem happy for our displays to stay in place for several weeks.

At Kings Heath Library we were able to add some historic photographs from the early 1900’s provided by the staff (from library archives.)

Local Bat Walk via Cemetery

Quick reminder….Bat Walk with ‘Brumbats’ on this Thursday evening the 10th. Starts from farm gate to Jasmin Fields on Bayston Road,ends at Brandwood Pool. 7pm for instructions and then leaving towards canal across Jasmin Fields. Wrap up warm, stout footwear- bring a torch!!
Please let Dean the Ranger know if you want to come.0121 675 0937. Under 16’s must be supervised.

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Final litter pick reminder!

Quick reminder. Come along and enjoy a stroll around our magnificent cemetery-hopefully in the sunshine- whilst collecting litter as you walk! We hold our litter picks every quarter and they offer a chance for you to observe wildlife, especially the  extensive bird population, whilst helping to keep this beautiful open space litter free.

Meet by the Lodge on the main drive- 10am on Saturday the 5th September. We advise suitable clothing , footwear and gloves,  but we will provide litter pickers and rubbish bags. Litter Pick events usually last till approx 11.30am

Litter Picks are useful, satisfying and fun.
Litter Picks are useful, satisfying and fun.

Work starts on Chapels

‘Heritage Stone Access’ began work this week to clear shrubbery and re-fix loose and fallen masonry on the chapels, in an effort to slow deterioration pending funding being available to undertake renovation work.

20150825_102629As we all know, money is tight in Birmingham City Council and therefore renovation of the chapels remains some way off.  (The majority of grant applications would demand match funding as a minimum from the site/building owners- BCC)

Bereavements Department are keen, along with the Friends, to try and keep the Chapels from deteriorating further during this lean period so have engaged a reputable company, with a good history of work on heritage buildings, to carry out various works. This includes making the building ‘pigeon proof’. (Large amounts of pigeon poo have already been professionally removed!) Shrubbery has also been sprayed with weed killers and partially removed.

20150825_102629 - CopyThose eagled eyed visitors to the cemetery will have noticed that since the pigeons have been denied access to the buildings they have taken to roosting on the tower and creating quite a mess! Whilst on site the contractors will also be re-fixing masonry that has fallen (as seen across). We all watch with interest.

Kings Heath History Group visit Brandwood End.

This photograph was taken on Saturday 20th June at the end of a most interesting and absorbing KH History Group summer field trip to Brandwood End Cemetery led by Pat Franklin (A member of FBEC) who generously gave her time to talk to the members about the history of the Cemetery and show them some of the WW1 graves and memorials that Brandwood contains.

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Hedge cut for another season…..

Several members of FBEC answered our call for help as we brought the hedge in the Civilian Garden of Remembrance back in line!

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20150614_111804Several of our members turned up, shears in hand, to help trim the hawthorn hedge that surrounds the garden.

 

 

 

Luckily the weather was in our favour and we managed to do a bit of weeding as well!

 

 

 

Our thanks to everyone who gave up their morning and I think we all agree that the Civilian Garden is looking really good at the moment.

A brief mention to the ladies that take it in turns to weed the beds and paths. Their efforts are obvious!

Sun shines for June Litter Pick

Six FBEC members enjoyed today’s sunshine as they searched for litter in the Cemetery at our quarterly  ‘Litter Pick’. It was good to see that there was very little litter about, but we still managed to gather about 8 bags- mainly flower paper, from under hedges and hidden in shrubbery. Your next chance to join us will be on Saturday 5th September.

I thought today, instead of litter, I would post a few lovely photographs taken during the event.

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We were a little shocked by this drastic pruning of a conifer on the main drive but it would appear that it will ultimately be dispatched, but in the mean time it still offers a home to thousands of insects and a great perch for our local Buzzard!

 

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