Nottingham City Council Parks Team, in partnership with the National Trust and its Blossom Together initiative, has delivered two projects bringing new blossom trees for local people to enjoy. 

Lenton Recreation Ground and St Mary’s Rest Garden in St Ann’s near Victoria Park have both had cherry trees planted as part of the initiative.

Tree planting started in autumn for this project to bring more blossom to our cities and landscapes and the results can now be seen on site. Nottingham’s two locations are part of over 45 blossom projects including the planting of new orchards announced for National Trust land.

Blossom Together is part of the Platinum Jubilee Queen’s Green Canopy project. These trees will help meet the City Council ambition to plant 50,000 trees by 2023 to help tackle climate change and create new homes for nature.

At St Mary’s Rest Garden, cherry trees have been planted along an existing footpath and new seating installed, and at Lenton Recreation Ground a new footpath has been installed with new seating and feature planter. The new footpath has been lined with 28 Cherry trees. There will be celebration event at each site and then ongoing activities to further encourage enjoyment of the Blossom trees.

Join The Nottingham City Parks Team to celebrate their partnership with the National Trust to help communities ‘blossom.’ A range of free, family friendly activities will be on offer at Lenton Recreation Ground (Sat 28 May) and St Mary’s Rest Garden (Tues 31 May) between from 11am – 2pm. These will include garden games (outdoor Jenga, giant Connect Four etc.), archery (Park Ranger led), drop-in nature tasks – seed bomb making, yoga with Louise Chambers, tree walk by Graham Pierce (11.30am – 12.30pm), floral paper-crafting activities with Sarah Manton of Curious Nottingham (11am & 1.15pm), Story Parks, and a chance to talk to the council’s Social Prescribing Team and Resident Development Officers (previously Neighbourhood Development Officers). The Sanctuary Team will be available too, to offer Covid information. Both days will feature a community picnic with food from Homemade, and Rainbow Stripes with Sue Scargill will perform at the St Mary’s event.

Councillor Audra Wynter, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Transport, and Parks, said: “We hope to create a space for reflection and remembrance following the coronavirus pandemic. Our plans will also enable us to explore our wider ambition of tackling inequality in parks and to make them more appealing and safer for more people to enjoy.

“We hope to create a beautiful space for the local community where they can connect to nature. We know that trees absorb harmful pollution and can help reduce stress levels.  These sites based will create a peaceful sanctuary so that more people can enjoy moments of calm away from busy city life.”

Hilary McGrady, Director General of the National Trust, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm from towns, cities and local communities around the country after our first blossom garden was unveiled in London this year. Bringing more blossom to cities and to National Trust landscapes is an important part of our plans to plant 20 million trees, give more homes to nature and help people connect with nature wherever they are. This project goes back to our roots and one of our founders’ key desires – to ensure more people have beautiful spaces to enjoy.”

For more information on the blossom projects visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/blossom-together, or to make a donation to the charity’s tree planting ambitions visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/plant-a-tree