insideKENT Magazine Issue 108 - April 2021 | Page 16

Celebrating Blossom in Kent and East Sussex – with the National Trust
OUTSIDEKENT

BLOSSOM WATCH :

Celebrating Blossom in Kent and East Sussex – with the National Trust

PHOTOS BY NATIONAL TRUST IMAGES
AFTER THE SUCCESS OF # BLOSSOMWATCH IN 2020 , WHEN THOUSANDS CAPTURED AND SHARED IMAGES OF TREES IN BLOOM ACROSS SOCIAL MEDIA , THE NATIONAL TRUST IS INVITING PEOPLE TO CELEBRATE BLOSSOM SEASON IN KENT AND EAST SUSSEX ONCE AGAIN .
SCOTNEY CASTLE © Nina Elliot-Newman
Emulating Hanami , the ancient Japanese tradition of viewing and celebrating blossom as the first sign of spring , the National Trust is encouraging everyone to take a moment to pause , actively notice and enjoy the fleeting beauty of blossom .
Across Kent and East Sussex blossom trees can be seen on city streets , in gardens and in public parks as well as at places in the National Trust ’ s care , such as Sissinghurst , Chartwell , and Bateman ’ s . And , as the sight of blush-tinted blooms is expected to lift spirits and enable everyone to celebrate nature together , people are also encouraged to share their blossom images on social media using # BlossomWatch .
Blossom in Kent and East Sussex
The National Trust looks after thousands of heritage fruit trees and ornamental cherry trees at National Trust gardens in Kent and East Sussex . Many of which can be found in traditional orchard settings . Concerningly , over 90 % of Britain ' s heritage orchards have been lost , but the National Trust now protects more than 25 in the South East alone . Providing a valuable lifeline for insects including pollinating bees and butterflies , they are an uplifting spectacle in spring , and again in autumn when they are bursting with fruit .
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