Wadebridge Town Council
Sakura Cherry Tree Project – Egloshayle Cemetery, Wadebridge
The Town Council were honoured to recently welcome Deputy Lieutenant Commodore Jamie Miller CBE and Deputy Lieutenant Gaynor Coley to Egloshayle Cemetery for the planting of 6 cherry trees. These cherry trees are some of the 6,500 Japanese cherry trees – or Sakura in Japanese – given to the UK by Japan, and planted across the country in parks, gardens and schools to celebrate Japan’s relationship with the UK. Scott Mann MP, while disappointed that he was unable to attend the planting, sent his best wishes and was delighted that he had been of assistance in bringing the trees to Wadebridge.
The Sakura Cherry Tree project was formally launched with a planting ceremony at The Regent’s Park attended by HRH The Duke of Gloucester, the Japanese Ambassador Yasumasa Nagamine, Joint Chairman of the Sakura Cherry Tree Project Keisaku Sandy Sano and local schoolchildren.
All of the varieties of cherry trees planted as part of this project are of Japanese origin. The vast majority are of three varieties, ‘Beni-yutaka’, ‘Taihaku’, and ‘Somei-yoshino’, which have been chosen for their variation in colour, timing, and historical significance. For example, ‘Taihaku’ is a large, single white blossom variety, which became extinct in Japan but was reintroduced to its homeland by Britain’s Collingwood 'Cherry' Ingram in 1932.
Under the guidance of Senior Groundsman, Ed Treverton, the Deputy Lieutenants accompanied by Deputy Town Mayor Ian Welch & Cllr Heather Cooper- Waite and Town Council staff planted these beautiful trees in a very special place. We look forward to seeing them grow and blossom.
Yasumasa Nagamine, Japanese Ambassador to the UK said, ’We hope that people all over Britain will join with us in embracing this chance to deepen mutual understanding, thus helping to create an enduring legacy. Yet the Sakura Cherry Tree Project will not just represent the lasting impact of the Japan-UK Season of Culture but will be a wider celebration of the cordial ties between Japan and the UK. I hope they bring joy to people across the UK and remind them of the deep friendship between our two nations and peoples.’
