Let’s celebrate Britain’s blossom: National Trust launches campaign to lift the gloom following Japanese tradition of celebrating trees in bloom
- Canopies of spring blossom bloom all around the country
- National Trust encourages people to share their pictures on social media
- It hopes the snaps will cheer up others who can’t get out during lockdown
In these uncertain times, it is a sight to lift the spirits.
And the National Trust believes that Britain should copy the Japanese tradition of celebrating blossoming trees.
As spring unfolds, it wants us to pause and enjoy glorious sights such as this canopy of cherry blossom in Hove Park in East Sussex.
Joggers enjoy the sunshine and the stunning cherry blossom in Hove Park, East Sussex, on Thursday while taking their permitted exercise
The trust is also calling on people to share images of blossom on social media for everyone else’s benefit. It is hoping to start a ‘blossom watch’ tradition in the UK to encourage people to notice a key part of the natural calendar.
The move – part of its campaign to connect us with nature – has been inspired by the Japanese tradition of ‘hanami’, celebrating cherry blossom as the first sign of spring.
Hanami, which translates as ‘flower viewing’, began in 710AD.
Every spring, drunken hanami parties are held under flowering cherry trees across Japan to celebrate the season.
The trust wants people with trees in bloom in their gardens and on their streets to share pictures on social media using the hashtag #BlossomWatch and tagging their location.
Andy Beer, of the National Trust, said: ‘At a time when people are being asked not to travel, blossom trees can be seen on city streets, in gardens and in public parks.
It’s a moment many can enjoy when taking the permitted daily walk, cycle or run.
‘We’re asking people to take pictures of it and share the joy with others who can’t see blossom for themselves right now.’