The Darwin Gardens Trust has now been approved as a Registered Charity by the Charity Commission, and this acceptance by the official national body should broaden our ability to appeal for donations and grant aid. Further donations recently received include £20 from Ilkley Women's Group and £25 from a private individual.

We have now commenced design work on a Christian memorial to the Millennium, projected as part of the first phase of Darwin Gardens, and are actively liaising with Churches Together in Ilkley, in planning this element of the scheme.

We are also discussing involvement of the local branch of Amnesty International, who may be able to commemorate this important cause within the 'New Beginnings' planting scheme which is also being planned as part of our first phase.

With advice from Bradford Council Special Projects Officer, Jeff McQuillan, we are assembling our application for a Millennium Festival Award to fund events connected with the official opening of Darwin Gardens on Midsummer Day
(June 24th) 2000.

Opening Day events already planned include a children's procession illustrating stages of biological evolution, culminating in a song specially composed for the occasion, and a community dance event based on the ancient fylfot symbol - to be organised by Yorkshire Dales Workshops; a light-hearted open-air play dramatising Darwin's connection with Ilkley; and a 'fun-run' from White Wells based on the theme of human evolution.

Please get in touch if you have any further ideas or suggestions for appropriate events to celebrate our community's involvement in this exciting and imaginative scheme. We welcome all contributors, whether as individuals, local businesses, or school and community groups to demonstrate their interest in this unique opportunity to celebrate the Millennium in Ilkley. By helping to create an inspirational, educational and recreational feature, of enduring value to both residents and visitors of all ages, we can all show our respect for Ilkley's past history and our determination to act positively for the future of our town and its surroundings.

If you can offer assistance with: suggestions for planting or landscaping schemes; technical, artistic and organisational advice; specialist construction skills; labour, tools and materials; fund-raising; sponsorship; publicity; contacts; then please get in touch or ask for one of our supporter survey questionnaires and let us know what you would like to do for The Darwin Gardens Millennium Scheme.

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