Welcome to

A Bluebird Tends

Visiting, tending and cleaning graves or a memorials is an important way we can remember our loved ones - of times lived and shared but also of where we have come from and days ahead.

Changing circumstances means it can often be difficult to visit, tend and tidy but that doesn’t mean we are not thinking or caring.

A Bluebird Tends is a personal grave tending, cleaning and restoration service, covering South Oxfordshire, to help keep the graves and memorials of loved ones as wished.

How I can help Why Bluebird?

About

A Bluebird Tends

Thank you for visiting - my name is Steven Bradley and a little while ago, whilst wandering around a graveyard and reflecting events in my own life, I decided I wanted to help people keep the graves and memorials of their loved ones as they would wish.

I have "admired" the work of local council's contractors in many cemeteries but also the weeds that were slowly closing in, the strimmer cuttings thrown over the graves, the inscriptions that were rapidly fading away, the falling petals and... it struck a chord.

As a professional gardener I was looking for other ways to help folks and by accident I came across grave tending and knew this was something that I know I can do to the highest standard but also reflecting the realties of life and at the end of the day just helping people.

Why Bluebird?

The Bluebirds flying over the white cliffs of Dover in the famous song are in reality, Swallows and across many religions, Swallows are associated by their nature, with protection, renewal and providence.

Choosing a name for a business is never easy but reflecting on the association of Bluebirds with both life and of passing it struck a deep chord with me and so this is why I settled on this name for the service I offer - one of protection of the past, renewal for life ahead and providence for the moment we live in.

A Bluebird Tends.

About A Bluebird Tends
How I can help

Tending, Cleaning & Restoring

I help people in many ways with the tending, cleaning and restoring graves or memorials. More details below about the services I offer can be found below and if you need more information, please do contact me and I will be happy to help.

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A Single Visit

Often just a single visit is needed to help get things back in order. During the visit I will:

  • Carefully check and record the state of things
  • Mow, trim, weed and edge the plot and surroundings as appropriate
  • Remove any debris including leaves and faded flowers
  • Wash and lightly clean all the stone work
  • Clean and polish any vases
  • Prune any shrubs or bushes that may be encroaching
  • Ensure any grass, plants and flowers are left well watered or with water
  • Take before and after photos to send on to you
  • Provide you with an update on the general state, matters relating to the cemetery and also noting any issues as well as suggestions that might help for the future

A single visit costs £36 per hour. Most are completed in 2 hours and I charge based on time spent - not in whole hours.

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Regular Visits

I am happy to visit on a regular basis to make sure everything is kept as you would wish.

These visits can be:

  • Annually
  • Twice yearly
  • For each season of the year
  • Monthly
  • And/Or to mark particular occasions

A regular visit includes everything I do on a single visit however the charge for the 2nd visit onwards is reduced - less time is usually needed and it is also a thank you for continuing to use my services.

After the first visit (£36 per hour), the cost for subsequent visits are less depending on how often I am visiting

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A Fixed Price Visit

It is always good to know what a tending will cost beforehand but until I actually can see and appraise things properly it is very difficult to provide an accurate cost. So to help I also offer a fixed price visit.

With a fixed price visit I will tend for 1 hour (I can get a lot done in that hour!). Before the visit I will confirm what the priorties are for you, assess things on arrival and decide on the best course of action.

This approach gives you certainty and will always ensure things are left in a much better state. It also gives you the time to decide how to continue.

A fixed price visit costs £42

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Flowers, Plants & Grass

When not tending graves and memorials I am a professional gardener. This means I can provide and recommend long lasting flowers and appropriate planting as well as ensuring the grass is kept level and in a good state.

Flowers can also be placed for you at any time you wish or on a regular basis and as part of this service, I will return when I know they are likely to have just faded so they can be removed or replaced.

cemeteries may have specific rules on flowers, planting and grass maintenance however I will liase with the relevant people to ensure wishes are fulfilled.

Flower, plant and grass related costs will obviously vary but will always be fair, competitive and transparent.

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Cleaning & Restoring

As time passes, the stonework and any associated materials such as chippings may become stained or dirty.

With the greatest care and attention to detail, I can clean and restore them to the state you wish.

The amount of cleaning and restoration is entirely up to you. I generally recommend having me undertake a single or fixed price visit and afterwards we can discuss any further cleaning and restoration work so I can explain what can and cannot be done but also what the costs are likely to be.

However if you prefer I can visit (there is no charge) to establish the current state and we can take it from there.

Restoration work is charged at £40 per hour plus materials

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Lettering

If the lettering on a memorial is in a poor condition I can re-paint or re-guild them as appropriate restoring the inscription to its original state.

This work is done without removing the memorial and so avoids the costs and disruption this would entail.

However in some circumstances (e.g. lead lettering), I may recommend a fellow grave tender or stonemason be brought in to deal with this work.

The cost for lettering work is usually charged on a per letter basis however if I am restoring a full inscription which may take several hours and visits then I would charge an hourly rate of £40 per hour instead whichever will be cheaper for you.

Per letter charges are £0.75 (re-painting) and £1.50 (re-guilding using gold leaf)

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Grave Location

If you are travelling from far flung places to visit or are researching a family tree, precious time can be lost trying find where a grave or memorial of a family member is or even which cemetery it is in.

Tending works means you get to know the cemeteries, the plots and memorials and the people who manage them so I am in very good position to help locate a grave or memorial and happy to help you if needed.

Once found, you will be provided with photos of the grave or memorial, the text of any inscription, an aerial photograph with an indicating marker and also the GPS co-ordinates of exactly where it is in addition to the contact details for those who manage the cemetery.

I charge £30 to locate a grave however if it is an "easy" find this is often discounted

How much?

Costs and charges... explained

Knowing that things will cost beforehand is what we all want however with tending and cleaning work it can be a challenge without seeing the work beforehand.

However I like to keep things simple so I keep the charges likewise.

  • Wherever possible I will drop by to see the work beforehand and providing it is within 5 miles of Didcot, there is no charge. If a bit further afield let me know.
  • I usually charge a minimum of £36 per visit for the first hour.
  • For subsequent hours of the visit the rate is still £36 per hour however I only charge the proportion of that hour. So if a cleaning takes 2 hours 30 minutes I would charge for 2 hours (£36) plus 30 minutes (£18) so £54 in total.
  • If you would like me to attend on a regular basis then the hourly rate drops to £30 per hour.
  • I also offer a simple fixed price visit of 1 hour only and the charge for that is £42.
  • There are no hidden extras - the cost includes all the materials that might be needed.
  • For restoration work or providing flowers, costs will obviously vary but will always be fair, competitive, transparent and agreed with you beforehand.

Hopefully that explains things but if you have any queries, do let me know.

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About image
Questions & Answers

I appreciate you have questions so here are those most often asked and their answers

What areas do you cover?

I want to ensure I can provide the best service so I only look after a small area (see below) which is about 5 or so miles around Didcot. If you are outside that area and need help, do let me know and I am sure we can sort something out.

[Map] Areas covered - about 5 or so miles around Didcot

Sorry, I am not sure I can explain exactly where the plot is - that a problem?

To be honest, it can be but I always take a very flexible view on this as it can mean less time actually tending. The more information you can provide the easier it is going to be to find the plot. If you can also speak to the cemetery folk beforehand to let them know I am visiting that will be a big help as then they will then be able to help me.

When will a visit happen?

For first visits, I would recommend allowing at least 2-3 weeks as it may be a place I have not visited before and I must have the appropriate permissions from the folk in charge of the area before I can start any work for you.

Subsquent visits will have sorted such matters and are booked in advance so you will know well beforehand - just in case you would like to bring things forwards or push backwards to reflect a particular occasion.

Do you work all year?

Yes, I do! Some work, such as levelling the ground or a thorough clean, may be best done at particular times of the year but we can discuss that as needed.

Also, I avoid working in exceptionally hot, cold or wet weather. Each of which brings their own challenges and I want to be sure to deliver the highest quality of service to you.

Should it be necessary to postpone a visit, I will let you know and I will visit within the next few days.

What do you use to clean the stonework?

Over time the stonework of a memorial will naturally degrade. There are many factors that may accelerate this such as the type of stone, the situation, how it has been cleaned etc.

What I want aim to do is manage that process with you. Some folk wish the memorial to naturally age but keep particular aspects such as the surroundings or inscription clear and others may want it to always look its very best. There is no right or wrong approach it is just about what you wish.

So when it comes to cleaning I, and all good grave tenders, use the least disruptive methods and materials first. Often the simplest, a good scrub with an appropriate mild soap, water and plenty of elbow grease will do wonders.

For some types of stone and their state a different approach might be needed so I might need to use some very mild chemical solutions (always within the rules of the cemetery) to sort things out.

I never use a power washer or harsh/environmentally damaging chemicals - though they might make things look nice for a short while such methods will degrade the stonework much more rapidly.

The tending work is not in a cemetery, can you still help?

Of course, as long I have the permission of all involved there is no problem with tending elsewhere. On arrival I will need to undertake one of those pesky risk assessment things which is in the interests of all but I rarely encounter a problem and so can quickly get on with things.

Do I have to make a payment beforehand?

No! Once the work is complete I will send you the photos and state report along with the invoice which I ask be paid within 7 days. If you are not happy with the work done, just let me know and I will cancel the invoice and you need not pay.

How do I make payment?

The invoice will include bank details to make a direct transfer. Alternatively you can pay online using a credit/debit card, cheque are also accepted or if I am making regular visits we can set up a Direct Debit if you wish.

Do you charge VAT?

No. There are no hidden charges or VAT for my services as I work well under the threshold for VAT registration.

May aim is that we work together to maintain the grave or memorial of your loved one and so everything is transparent and clear.

Are you insured?

Yes I am! Your visit confirmation Email will include a link that will let you download a copy of the current certificate. I can also provide a copy on request.

Contact me

How to contact me

There are all kinds of ways you can get in touch with me - all below and please use whatever is easiest for you - happy to help.