★July-September 2022
A magnificent ‘Suffolk Sakura’ event took place at the White House Farm in Great Glemham, Suffolk, in July- September 2022.
The owner of the farm, Jason Gathorne-Hardy, organized exhibitions of beautiful cherry blossom paintings by a Suffolk artist Emma Green, and stunning sakura silk scarves by Jenny Nutbeem, a natural-dye artist.
Both were inspired by Collingwood Ingram’s love of cherry blossoms. The farm has about 60 cherry trees and Emma has been painting them as they came into blossom in the past two years. Jenny has dyed silk scarves with the flowers and leaves of these cherry trees.
Jason is a descendent of the first Earl of Cranbrook, who built the former residence of ‘Cherry’ Ingram in Kent at the end of the 19th century. Two cherry trees in the residence garden, most likely planted by the Earl, ignited Ingram’s love of cherries and led him to create the world’s largest cherry garden in the 1930s and 40s.
Jason is also a cherry lover and has planted the cherry trees at the farm over the past 10 years. After discovering the family link with ‘Cherry’ Ingram, he decided to expand this serendipitous connection. He gave Emma a ‘Cherry’ Ingram blossom residency in which she started painting the blossoms. Jenny followed the cherry path by collecting the blossoms and barks, then dyed the silk scarves with them.
A special Japan-themed opening ceremony was held on 9-10 July, with a specutacular Taiko drumming concert by the world-renowned Taiko drummer Joji Hirota and his London Taiko Drummers. The concert was sold out.
The exhibitions continued for nearly two months.
The event was inspired by the life of Collingwood ‘Cherry’ Ingram
Dear Ms. Abe,
I recently read your excellent book, ‘Cherry’ Ingram, and enjoyed it immensely, not only for the wealth of information about cherry tree varieties and Mr. Ingram’s efforts to preserve them, but also for the very clear summaries of the political currents that evolved during his lifetime. I was especially taken by the discussion of the use of the symbolism of cherry blossoms in connection with Japanese military goals during World War II. Your clear explanations and thoughtful comments were a delight to read. Beautifully written.
Thank you very much for your kind comments. I am so pleased that you enjoyed the book. Please spread the word!