120 cherry trees from the people of Japan to the people of Cardiff

Japanese cherry trees, or ‘sakura’, gifted to Cardiff Council’s Heath Park and Bute Park have been planted at two special ceremonies this week.

The trees planted today were six of the 120 trees kindly gifted as part of The Sakura Cherry Tree Project which was created to celebrate 150 years of friendship between Wales and Japan. They will form an avenue of cherry blossom trees in the parks when in full bloom.

The 20 trees for Bute Park have been donated in response to the vandalism and several thousand pounds worth of damage caused to trees, planters, stonework, manhole covers and infrastructure in September last year.

The Rt. Hon The Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Councillor Rod McKerlich hosted the events and was joined by Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of South Glamorgan, Mrs. Morfudd Meredith andMr. Keisaku Sandy Sano, Joint Chairman/Founder of the Sakura Cherry Tree Project to plant the trees andCardiff Council’s Leader, Councillor Huw Thomas andCabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, Councillor Peter Bradbury.

Guests also includedLady Victoria Borwick, Deputy Chairman of the Sakura Cherry Tree Project; Mr Keith Dunn OBE, Honorary Consul for Japan in Wales and Mr Peter Dewey,High Sherriff of South Glamorgan.

Pupils from Ysgol Mynydd Bychan, Birchgrove Primary School and Ton Yr Ywen Primary School were invited to present the ceremonial shovels to delegates.

Local councillors, members of the Parks Department teams and the schools headteachers also attended the ceremonies.

The Rt. Hon. Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Cllr Rod McKerlich, said: “It’s a real honour for Cardiff to be chosen to host so many of these beautiful cherry trees which I understand will blossom well into the 22ndcentury as a long lasting symbol of the mutual understanding between our two nations.”

Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, Cllr Peter Bradbury, said: “It’s an absolute pleasure to be part of this celebration of friendship and co-operation between Wales and Japan. Thanks to all our guests who have made this a very special occasion.

“It’s been great to see the local primary schools involved in planting the trees which will continue to bloom for future generations

“Over this year’s planting season, over 16,000 trees will be planted across Cardiff and I’m delighted that these beautiful cherry trees will contribute to ouraim of increasing the tree canopy in our city and provide a striking feature for us now and for many years to come.”

Honorary Consul for Japan in Wales, Keith Dunn, OBE, said “Wales and Japan have a strong relationship developed over more than 100 years. At the heart of the relationship is a desire for mutual understanding and to learn from each other’s way of life, culture and history.

“These trees to be planted here in Cardiff are a strong symbol of our friendship that can be supported and enjoyed by future generations, and I hope these plantings, particularly at this current time, will be embraced by our communities for the future.”

Founder and Joint Chairman of the Sakura Cherry Tree Project Team, Mr Keisaku Sandy Sano, said “The response we have had from the Cardiff and all across Wales, has been amazing. It is testament to the strong relationship between our countries, and we hope the trees will be a lasting tribute to that.

“Many Japanese corporations have decided to, through the Japan-British Society, generously donate to this project. I am deeply grateful for all the efforts and support given by people and corporations both in Japan and the UK to this project.”