Gardening fun Japanese style
by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
30/07/2008
A group of green-fingered enthusiasts are set to make a round the world voyage to restore a Japanese Garden that lies a mere stone’s throw away from the BBC’s Wood Lane studios.
The seven-strong team will be making the 12,000 mile round trip to the garden in Hammersmith Park at the end of August to participate in the event which commemorates the 1910 Japan British Exhibition.
The clean-up has been organised by Hammersmith & Fulham Council together with the Japan Society and now members of the public are being offered the opportunity to take part in the event, which will take place on Thursday 28 and Friday 29 August, from 11am to 5pm.
The Japan British Exhibition of 1910 took place at White City and was the largest international exposition that the Empire of Japan had ever participated in. A component of the exhibition was the creation of a special Japanese garden at Hammersmith Park. Since authenticity was regarded as of the utmost importance the garden was constructed from scratch with trees, shrubs, wooden buildings, bridges, and even stones brought in from Japan.
Already confirmed as attending from Japan are Shintaro Sakamoto from the International Landscape Research Centre, Kazuo Mitsuhashi from the Japanese Garden Association, Yoshihiko Uchida of the Landscape Network Inc and Professor Eiko Ooide from Mejiro University. It is also hoped that the Japanese ambassador to the UK, Ms Mami Mizutori will take part.
Cllr Paul Bristow, cabinet member for residents’ services, said: "The council’s ParkLife campaign is going worldwide! This event is going to be a wonderful ocassion for all involved and I can’t wait to put on my wellington boots and gardening gloves for some outdoor fun. Everyone knows how committed we are about improving parks in the borough and I am thrilled that we have this Japanese delegation on board. I hope to see as many volunteers as possible at the end of August."
It is hoped that the garden will be fully restored by 2010, to coincide with the centenary of the Japan British Exhibition.
If you are interested in helping in the restoration of the Japanese Garden in Hammersmith Park send an email to jb.ex100@yahoo.co.uk. The closing date for applications is 10 August.
