Cherry blossom leaves Birmingham square pretty in pink

16 March

Cherry blossom in Oozells Square — Image caption,
Cherry blossom season is one of Japan's most beloved natural attractions, and it's become that too in Birmingham

By John Bray

��ý News, Birmingham

It's just yards from Birmingham's bustling Broad Street, the heart of the city's entertainment district - but it feels like you've stepped into another, more tranquil, world.

Oozells Square at once again looks pretty in pink as the annual arrival of beautiful cherry blossom captivates visitors and photographers.

Birmingham's , whose windows look out on the spectacular scene will celebrate the blossoms on Sunday 24 March.

The gallery, which in its 60th year, will run a free screen printing workshop, allowing people to print a mini-poster that reflects the Sakura season.

The Birmingham Contemporary Music Group will perform their annual Cherry Blossom Concert outside the Ikon during the afternoon.

Ajax FC

Footballers from Dutch club Ajax were photographed among the trees before their match at Aston Villa

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Sam Henderson's image was chosen at the ��ý Midlands Instagram photo of the day earlier this week

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Photographer Stacey Barnfield said the blossom was "looking as glorious as ever"

"The blooming of the cherry blossom trees in Oozells Square is always a very special moment for Ikon and Brindleyplace," said Rebecca Small, from the Ikon Gallery.

"So many people, residents and visitors, flock to the square each year to enjoy the blossom and take photographs."

Brindleyplace is encouraging photographers to use the hashtag #brindleyblossoms on social media

Birmingham was once described as 'a town ringed by blossom' as it was surrounded by gardens with blossoming trees

Brindleyplace, in partnership with the National Trust, has created an online blossom toolkit for visitors to Oozells Square

Cherry blossom is tied to the history and culture of Japan, where the tradition of viewing them is known as Hanami

The National Trust, meanwhile, has a Blossoming Balsall Heath scheme in Birmingham which will see 300 trees being planted in the area by schools, community groups and residents during the winter.