New Japan Trade Envoy David Taylor MP secures 35 Japanese cherry blossom trees for Gadebridge Park

The trees mark the completion of a long-term project to bring a “living legacy” of UK–Japan friendship to the heart of Hemel Hempstead.

On Friday, 20 March, a special planting ceremony was held to commemorate the arrival of the trees, which were gifted to the community as part of the nationwide Sakura Cherry Tree Project.

Mr Taylor was joined at the ceremony by Minister Kotaro Katsuki (Head of the Political Section at the Embassy of Japan), Monk Ajahn Ñāṇarato (Amaravati Monastery), Mayor Catherine McArevey, Cllr Robin Bromham (Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Operations at Dacorum Borough Council), and representatives from the Council’s Clean, Safe and Green team. 

The 35 cherry blossoms have been planted to provide a natural, visually stunning buffer between the park and the road, creating a more tranquil environment for visitors while enhancing the local landscape for commuters with vibrant spring blossoms and rich autumn colours.

As the newly appointed UK Trade Envoy to Japan, Mr Taylor will play a key role in strengthening links between the two nations, encouraging inward investment, and supporting British exporters. He has pledged to build on the relationships he has developed through the British–Japanese Parliamentary Group, the Japanese Embassy, and local businesses such as Harima to promote economic growth both nationally and in Hemel Hempstead.

David Taylor MP said:

“Ever since I first heard about the Sakura Cherry Tree Project, I’ve been determined to see these beautiful Japanese cherry blossoms in Hemel—and what better place than Gadebridge Park!

This is a project I have been working on for quite some time, and I’m thrilled they are finally here. A huge thank you to the Japanese Embassy and their partner businesses for this wonderful gift to our community, and to the Dacorum Borough Council officers and the Clean, Safe and Green team for their hard work in making this vision a reality.

It is also a privilege and honour to have been appointed as the UK Trade Envoy to Japan at the Department for Business and Trade. Our Labour Government has placed economic growth at the heart of our agenda for change. UK exports to Japan are currently worth around £16 billion, supporting nearly 150,000 jobs across the UK, including right here in Hemel with companies like Harima.

I will build on these close ties to strengthen the partnership between our two countries, bringing new jobs, investment, and opportunities to the UK and our local community.”

The Sakura Cherry Tree Project is a legacy of the Japan–UK Season of Culture, with over 8,000 trees gifted to parks, gardens, and schools across the UK to celebrate 150 years of friendship between the two nations.

Hiroshi Suzuki, Japanese Ambassador to the UK, said:

“This project symbolises the never-changing friendship between Japan and the UK. I am delighted to see the project develop well beyond its original target of planting 1,000 cherry trees, so we have agreed on a new target of planting 10,000 trees. I hope many British people will enjoy themselves seeing cherry blossoms every spring as a token of warm friendship from the Japanese people.”

Cllr Robin Bromham, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Operations at Dacorum Borough Council, added:

“We are deeply grateful to receive this wonderful gift. We are committed to ensuring these trees are well cared for and given the best chance to thrive, as a lasting symbol of our appreciation to the Sakura Cherry Tree Project and to the people of Japan.”

The trees at Gadebridge Park now form part of a UK-wide “wave of blossom” that will bloom each spring, serving as a permanent reminder of international cooperation, economic partnership, and environmental conservation.