A team of volunteers have helped spruce up a treasured garden in Hammersmith Park, Shepherd's Bush .

The annual restoration of The Japanese Garden took place earlier in October, with members from Friends of Hammersmith Park joining forces with The Nippon Club, a social club for Japanese ex-pats in London, and council contractor Idverde,

The team of 50 volunteers trimmed willow and bamboo and helped clear algae from the pond, and were supported by Hammersmith and Fulham mayor Michael Cartwright and a minister from the Japanese Embassy.

The garden was created in 1910 for the Japan-British Exhibition and is the only remaining site of the historical exhibition.

Resident Setsuo Kato set up a restoration project for the gardens, which is backed by the Japanese Embassy in the UK, The Nippon Club, the Japan Society, Japanese Garden Society and Hammersmith and Fulham (H&F) Council.

A young volunteer helps out

Mr Kato is a member of both The Hammersmith Society and The Nippon Club, and said: “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.

“This Japanese garden is a treasure of the British and Japanese people. We are now planning a phase two development of the garden.”

Volunteers help clear algae from the pond

Cllr Cartwright added: “It’s brilliant to see so many members of the local community digging in to help keep this fantastic garden in great condition.

“The great turnout shows how valued this amenity is by local residents, particularly the local Japanese community.”

Hammersmith and Fulham mayor and mayoress watch on as Minister Shinichi Lida from the Japanese Embassy speaks

There are plans to install Japanese-style gates at each entrance to the garden and a row of stone lanterns.

Anyone interested in helping out future clean-ups can email John Gordon Smith, from the Friends of Hammersmith Park, via johngs@btinternet.com .

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