Migotona sakura

 There is no need to travel 8700 miles to Japan to see the Sakura ( Cherry Blossom), as we have our very own in Pontypool Park.

Every year in April, the Cherry Tree Avenue near the Band Stand comes into bloom ( Translated to Japanese as Sakuru). The Japanese word Migotona implies splendid or magnificent.

The Cherry Trees were planted in 1952 and are an absolute sight to behold. The pink and white colours of the blossom are gorgeous in the spring, and during the autumn, the leaves turn a fantastic red-orange colour before they are shed. The people who planted the Cherry trees would be so proud if they could see them now. 

I look forward to photographing them every spring and, for several years now, have also been using my drone to capture the beauty of the scene from the air.

The bandstand in Pontypool Park was built in 1931. It was officially opened on 30 July 1931 and erected as a memorial to a local musician, Sidney Tudor Roderick.

From above, the roof of the bandstand is quite unique, having pink and blue hexagonal tiles. In its prime, the bandstand must have looked amazing. Despite its now aged and weathered look, the colours match the Cherry Blossom, so it almost looks like time has changed it to match the trees.

Pontypool Park is a really special and beautiful place, and I am so glad to have it almost on my doorstep.

You can read more about the blossom in my previous posts-

Pretty in Pink

Living in the Shadow of the Folly