Japanese-themed celebration at historic orchard

A flower-viewing event is taking place at a historic orchard to celebrate Anglo-Japanese relations.

Coton Orchard, near Cambridge, is hosting a hanami - the Japanese tradition of enjoying blossoms in their spring-time bloom.

Anna Gazeley, whose family owns the century-old site, said it was "a bit like being in Kyoto" when the flowers emerged.

Saturday's event will be attended by representatives from the Sakura Cherry Tree Project, a charity that has donated more than 7,500 cherry trees across the country.

The project, which is supported by the Embassy of Japan in the UK, aims to celebrate friendship between the two countries.

Sir Graham Fry, the former British ambassador to Japan, and his wife Lady Toyoko Fry, are set to help plant one of the trees.

Ms Gazeley said: "We're going to get some of those trees planted, and dedicate them to some people in Coton and some people from further afield."

She said the blossom was particularly vibrant this year thanks to the cold snap over winter, plenty of rainfall and the recent sunshine.

"It's just the right combination of weather; it's luck," she said.

The orchard will host traditional taiko drumming and there will be music played on the shamisen - a Japanese stringed instrument - along with poetry readings and Japanese arts and crafts.

Ms Gazeley said some of Coton Orchard's volunteers would be invited to a picnic afterwards.

"We're going to do a traditional English picnic of scones and jam from fruit these trees produce – and we're also going to have some sushi," she said.

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