Here you will find some of the stories behind why people wanted to adopt the trees.
If you would like to add your story to this page, why you have chosen to adopt a tree, then please email [email protected]. Add pictures as well please if you are happy to share them, I will then upload them to this page. Thank you all for taking an interest and sharing in this beautiful space.
We all miss our parents when we lose them, the foundations behind our family, that have got us to where we are now. My parents were, I think Very special, they devoted their lives to not only their Family but also to public Service, My Mum, definitely the boss in the hierarchy, looking after us and also a number of Quaker meeting Houses in the UK and in New Zealand. My Dad was a social worker for most of his working life. They have certainly influenced me in what I do today as a local councillor.
They to were influenced by their Parents, My Fathers parents were missionaries in China, setting up a silk weaving factory in Chefoo which is still working now, producing some of the best silk in the country. Unfortunately they were in China during the war and got caught up in the Japanese invasion and spent some years in internment camps, before being sent home on an aircraft Carrier in 1945. He arrived in Glasgow, tried to find some work but it was hard to come by, so he Cycled to London, where he met my mother and the rest is History.
He only ever told us the happy stories of what went on in the camp, playing Chess everyday, training with Eric Liddle the Chariots of Fire Olympic Champion and the comradeship that was in the camp. This positive outlook on life, even when times are hard have, again rubbed of on me. He understood that after the war, the Japanese were very apologetic for what had happened and my father forgave them for what had happened. These trees are a continuous message to all of us that it will always be better to forgive and move on, rather than carry any bitterness within us. The Sakura are a beautiful gift, which will be shared with many generations to come.
They to were influenced by their Parents, My Fathers parents were missionaries in China, setting up a silk weaving factory in Chefoo which is still working now, producing some of the best silk in the country. Unfortunately they were in China during the war and got caught up in the Japanese invasion and spent some years in internment camps, before being sent home on an aircraft Carrier in 1945. He arrived in Glasgow, tried to find some work but it was hard to come by, so he Cycled to London, where he met my mother and the rest is History.
He only ever told us the happy stories of what went on in the camp, playing Chess everyday, training with Eric Liddle the Chariots of Fire Olympic Champion and the comradeship that was in the camp. This positive outlook on life, even when times are hard have, again rubbed of on me. He understood that after the war, the Japanese were very apologetic for what had happened and my father forgave them for what had happened. These trees are a continuous message to all of us that it will always be better to forgive and move on, rather than carry any bitterness within us. The Sakura are a beautiful gift, which will be shared with many generations to come.