Japanese ambassador honours university blossoms

A ceremony was held at Keele University on Wednesday, as the cherry blossom trees are set to come out in full bloom

A university has been honoured by the Japanese ambassador for its collection of cherry blossom trees.

Keele University was officially awarded a certificate of commendation by ambassador Hiroshi Suzuki on Wednesday.

Mr Suzuki visited the Staffordshire university to hand over the certificate in a ceremony also attended by the former British ambassador to Japan, Paul Madden.

The university's collection of flowering cherry trees, one of the largest in Europe, will soon be in full bloom and are free-of-charge to visit.

Keele University was awarded a certificate of commendation by ambassador Hiroshi Suzuki

"It is remarkable that this collection has been built over decades by Keele's experts through their continuous efforts to gather Sakura cherry trees from Japan" Mr Suzuki said.

The ambassador was given a tour of the collection, which contains more than 300 trees, comprising more than 200 different varieties – including some species that have become extinct in Japan.

"I would like to express my deep appreciation to everyone who has contributed to building this exceptional collection," Mr Suzuki added.

"I am convinced that it will continue to flourish in the years to come as a symbol of the enduring friendship between Japan and the UK."

'A taste of Japan'

His visit marks the third time in two years that officials from the Embassy of Japan in the UK have visited the university to see its collection of cherry trees.

The arrival of cherry blossom in spring is a significant event in Japan, with many festivals held and daily coverage on national news.

Keele's 600-acre campus has contained flowering cherry trees since the first ornamental grounds were laid out in the 1940s.

Dave Emley, a former geology technician at Keele and one of the curators of the university's cherry tree collection, said it was a huge honour to be recognised by the Japanese ambassador.

"It's always a fantastic feeling to see people enjoying them," he said. "It gives people a taste of Japan in spring here in Staffordshire."

Keele's collection of cherry trees is spread across its campus, with the aptly named Cherry Tree Walk, next to the university's chapel, and the Memorial Garden, providing two of the most Instagrammable locations for visitors.