Volunteers Help to Clean up Japanese Garden in Shepherd's Bush
Friend of Hammersmith Park join Nippon Club to trim bamboo and clean up pond
The Friends of Hammersmith Park joined forces earlier this month with The Nippon Club, a social club for Japanese ex-pats in London, and council contractor Idverde to do annual restoration work in the unique Shepherd's Bush garden.
The team of 50 volunteers trimmed willow and bamboo,
helped clear algae from the pond and added new planting to the rockery, supported by the Mayor and Mayoress of Hammersmith & Fulham and the minister from the Japanese Embassy.
"It’s brilliant to see so many members of the local community digging in to help keep this fantastic garden in great condition," said Cllr Mike Cartwright, Mayor of Hammersmith & Fulham.
"The great turn out shows how valued this amenity is by local residents, particularly the local Japanese community."
The Japanese Garden was created in 1910 for the Japan-British Exhibition and is the only remaining site of the historical exhibition.
Local resident Setsuo Kato set up a restoration project for the gardens. The Japanese Embassy in the UK, The Nippon Club, the Japan Society, Japanese Garden Society and H&F Council all backed the scheme.
Mr Kato, a committee member of both The Hammersmith Society and The Nippon Club, has organised an annual clean-up of the garden ever since.
"I would like to say thank you for the support to maintain this historical Japanese garden to H&F Council and the Japanese Community in London," said Mr Kato.
"This Japanese garden is a treasure of the British and Japanese people. We are now planning a phase two development of the garden."
The phase two works include plans to install Japanese style gates at each entrance to the garden and a row of stone lanterns.
Mr Kato, who was born in Tokyo but has lived in London since 1970, hopes even more local residents will help with the cleaning day next year.
To join in and help out, contact John Gordon Smith, from the Friends of Hammersmith Park at johngs@btinternet.com.
October 16, 2017
