Many of
us forget that the celebration of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth at Christmas is only the second most important celebration in The Christian Calendar. The most important, Easter, The Crucifixion and The Resurrection are by far, the most symbolic of a faith that is now seriously under threat in The UK, by other religions. As I sit today, reflecting on things, my thoughts wander with wonder, to my own church, The Holy Trinity Church at Camp Hill in Birmingham, where I was christened (MCMLX), where my parents were married 
(MCMLV), where my grandparents were also married a mere 44 days after the end of The Great War (MCMXVIII). Built in 1822 at an immense cost of £14,235, the carcass of this Grade 2 listed building, with its four spires, still stands proudly, looking over the Bordesley Middleway (or The Sandy Lane Expressway as it should be called looking at the speeds some drivers reach down there). Now recently sold to a company, and awaiting planning permission, for change of use to a gallery and offices, it's former grand interior was ruthlessly stripped bare by its previous occupants, the boot night shelter, of St Basil's, so 
that the homeless, the hungry and the needy could have a dry place to sleep. A worthy reason, yes, but ruthless nonetheless. Back in the 1870's The Holy Trinity Youth Cricket Club (Like their now superior rivals, from Villa Cross Wesleyan Chapel, across the city) formed The Small Heath Football Club (Later to become The Small Heath Alliance), so that they could keep fit during the winter months. That means that I am actually associated more closely with the Noses from my roots than I would care to be... Now on to the mid 1
980s, and the redevelopment of Sandy Lane. So that this could be achieved and allowed, all of the graves from Holy Trinity were exhumed en masse and re interred in The Brandwood End Cemetery, before any work could be done. Recent commotion over the alleged mismanagement of City funds for redevelopment of a small part of Brandwood End Cemetery under the title "Gridlock Gregory And The Flowerpot Man" on Mr Goldberg's passionately pro-Brummie site "The Stirrer" begs one to wonder if the mass grave from Camp Hill would be safe from further disturbances
? I sincerely hope that the new keepers of The Holy Trinity Church structure and building maintain its use as a worthy one, like The C of E and later, and like Boot also did.
[In trying to research this article I have hit the biggest brick wall as The Friends Of Brandwood website seems to have died a quick death, and there is no reference to the removal of the mass graves on any website using the usual searches. Photographs supplied are from a personal collection of Mary Wilson (née Mary Pitt) a member of The congregation of Holy Trinity from 1929 to 1963 including membership of the Parochial Church Council or PCC from 1947 to 1963, and former resident of Sandy Lane and Ravenhurst Street]
DTW 10/4/2009
us forget that the celebration of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth at Christmas is only the second most important celebration in The Christian Calendar. The most important, Easter, The Crucifixion and The Resurrection are by far, the most symbolic of a faith that is now seriously under threat in The UK, by other religions. As I sit today, reflecting on things, my thoughts wander with wonder, to my own church, The Holy Trinity Church at Camp Hill in Birmingham, where I was christened (MCMLX), where my parents were married 
(MCMLV), where my grandparents were also married a mere 44 days after the end of The Great War (MCMXVIII). Built in 1822 at an immense cost of £14,235, the carcass of this Grade 2 listed building, with its four spires, still stands proudly, looking over the Bordesley Middleway (or The Sandy Lane Expressway as it should be called looking at the speeds some drivers reach down there). Now recently sold to a company, and awaiting planning permission, for change of use to a gallery and offices, it's former grand interior was ruthlessly stripped bare by its previous occupants, the boot night shelter, of St Basil's, so 
that the homeless, the hungry and the needy could have a dry place to sleep. A worthy reason, yes, but ruthless nonetheless. Back in the 1870's The Holy Trinity Youth Cricket Club (Like their now superior rivals, from Villa Cross Wesleyan Chapel, across the city) formed The Small Heath Football Club (Later to become The Small Heath Alliance), so that they could keep fit during the winter months. That means that I am actually associated more closely with the Noses from my roots than I would care to be... Now on to the mid 1
980s, and the redevelopment of Sandy Lane. So that this could be achieved and allowed, all of the graves from Holy Trinity were exhumed en masse and re interred in The Brandwood End Cemetery, before any work could be done. Recent commotion over the alleged mismanagement of City funds for redevelopment of a small part of Brandwood End Cemetery under the title "Gridlock Gregory And The Flowerpot Man" on Mr Goldberg's passionately pro-Brummie site "The Stirrer" begs one to wonder if the mass grave from Camp Hill would be safe from further disturbances
? I sincerely hope that the new keepers of The Holy Trinity Church structure and building maintain its use as a worthy one, like The C of E and later, and like Boot also did. [In trying to research this article I have hit the biggest brick wall as The Friends Of Brandwood website seems to have died a quick death, and there is no reference to the removal of the mass graves on any website using the usual searches. Photographs supplied are from a personal collection of Mary Wilson (née Mary Pitt) a member of The congregation of Holy Trinity from 1929 to 1963 including membership of the Parochial Church Council or PCC from 1947 to 1963, and former resident of Sandy Lane and Ravenhurst Street]
DTW 10/4/2009
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