Dennis has worked in the JQ since 2007, starting at St Paul’s Church before taking on his current role with JQBID; keeping the Jewellery Quarter clean and tidy. He remembers visiting Warstone Lane Cemetery for the first time:

“My first visit to Warstone Lane Cemetery took place in early August 2007. I had been working at St Paul’s Church for exactly 4 months, with my entire knowledge of the JQ centred around the Church and surrounding Square.

After finishing work at 4.30pm I decided I would venture more into the Heart of the Jewellery Quarter, after a few minutes I found myself on Warstone Lane, the first thing that struck me was just EXACTLY how many Jewellers shops there were, continuing past the Green Chamberlain clock I found my self at the Cemetery, as it was a nice sunny day (well dry at least) I decided to have a look around. I was soon enthralled by the Catacombs and the whole lay out of the cemetery.

I had recently started to write a crime novel in my spare time so had a look at many of the graves to see if I could see any interesting names that I could use or if something would spark my imagination. Before I knew it 2 hours had past reluctantly, I made my way out of the cemetery, it wouldn’t be too long however before I returned.”

These days Dennis spends plenty of time in both cemeteries, helping us with our weekly Community Litter Picks, leading regular cemetery tours and also stopping in as part of his Kathleen Dayus tour to visit the grave where her mother and sister are buried.

Dennis and Luke from JQBID in Warstone Lane Cemetery, standing close to the spot where Mary Ann Greenhill and Mary Ann White are buried.
Community Litter Pick on a rainy day!

Jewellery Quarter Cemeteries Project

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The Snowflake Trail is over now until Christmas 2023.
120 of you took a Snowflake home for your own tree and 40 people left a message for a loved one on our memory tree. Thank you for visiting and making this event so special
#JQChristmas #keyhillcemetery
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The Snowflake Trail is back for a 3rd year in Key Hill Cemetery and the weather laid on some real snow for us too!

The trail is free and open to everyone from 18th December until 1st January. Wrap up warm and explore, hunting for wooden snowflakes which hang from some of the trees forming a trail around the cemetery. Add the name of your loved one to our memory tree using the stars and snowflakes provided. Choose a decorative snowflake from the trail to take home for your own tree.

Please take care while walking as paths may be slippery in snowy, icy oe wet conditions. Please visit during daylight hours only.

Share your photos of your snowflake on your tree at home and tag us!

Key Hill Cemetery too far to travel? There are also snowflake trails at Lodge Hill Cemetery (18th Dec- 24th Dec), Lodge Hill Cemetery (18th Dec- 24th Dec) and Sutton Coldfield Crematorium (19th Dec - 24th Dec).
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This project is possible because of funding from: