Visitors to Fairhaven Lake can look forward to a spectacular display of cherry blossom each spring after beautiful Japanese Sakura trees were planted at the popular lakeside destination.
The trees are part of a remarkable gift from Japan to the United Kingdom, with over 8,000 cherry trees being planted in parks, gardens and schools across the country to celebrate the enduring friendship between the two nations. Fairhaven Lake is proud to be among more than 1,000 sites selected to receive trees as part of this once-in-a-generation project.
The Sakura Cherry Tree Project is a legacy of the Japan-UK Season of Culture 2019-2021, with trees now flourishing in locations from the Scilly Isles to the Orkney Islands. The varieties planted have been specially chosen for their stunning colours and historical significance, including the ‘Tai Haku’ – a large white blossom variety that actually became extinct in Japan before being reintroduced from Britain in 1932.
Fairhaven Lake’s involvement in the project is thanks to dedicated volunteer Stephen King, who first connected the lake with the scheme. Stephen, who previously helped create Fairhaven’s Japanese garden and generously donated the garden’s stone pagoda statue, coordinated the application process and helped plant the trees alongside council staff.
Councillor Jayne Nixon, Lead Member for Tourism, Leisure and Culture, said: “What a wonderful honour for Fairhaven Lake to be part of this incredible project celebrating the friendship between the UK and Japan. These beautiful cherry trees will delight visitors for generations to come, adding yet another reason to explore our stunning lakeside park. I’m incredibly grateful to our volunteer Stephen King, whose passion for Fairhaven’s Japanese garden made this possible. His dedication truly embodies the community spirit that makes Fairhaven so special.”
Keisaku Sandy Sano, Founder and Joint Chairman of the Sakura Cherry Tree Project Team, added: “The response we have had from all across the UK, from Guernsey in the south to the Orkneys in the north, from parks and schools across the UK has been amazing. It is testament to the strong relationship between the two countries, and we hope the trees will be a lasting tribute to that.”
The project, entirely funded by Japanese businesses and individuals, will continue planting across the UK until 2027, with a target of 10,000 trees nationwide.
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