Darwin Gardens Trust volunteers have commenced groundwork on the site of Ilkley's Millennium Maze at West View Park, by stripping turf from the maze area. The turf has been recycled by laying it over an area recently cleared of bracken, to provide a grassy promenade with an attractive view of the ghyll and cascades. The task of moving and relaying the turf was completed at a recent work-party day, by 12 volunteers, including 6 from the Wharfedale Branch of Amnesty International.
Organisers Brian Hill and Peter Harnett would like to thank all of those who helped in this superb effort to establish a feature which will reward visitors to Darwin Gardens.

Digging out of the bracken roots was greatly helped by Chippindale Plant Ltd who generously donated the use of one of their mini-diggers. The machine was also used to make light work of clearing debris from the far end of the 'car park' area, beside which volunteers have cleared a large area of bramble scrub.

The next work-party day planned is Sunday 21st November, when we hope to complete bramble clearance and ground preparation to make way for the 'Family Trees' which will make up the community wildlife hedge. Individuals can dedicate these hedgerow trees at a cost of £1 per tree (payable to The Darwin Gardens Trust) by post or personal call to: Parish Clerk's Office, The Town Hall, Ilkley, LS29 8HB. (01943 436212) (personal callers between 10 - 12 am on Mondays/Wednesdays/Thursdays/Fridays please).

As part of National Tree Week, we will be holding a community tree-planting day on Sunday 28th November. All are welcome to come along from 10am onwards to help plant 1000 hedgerow trees - one for each year of a Millennium - and tags will be available to mark dedicated trees. In time these will grow together to form a complete community for wildlife, and be a living reflection of how our individual contributions can cooperate for mutual benefit within the human community of our town.

The Darwin Gardens Millennium Scheme has been selected to be a principal beneficiary of next year's Ilkley Carnival. In replying to Ilkley Carnival Committee, Darwin Gardens Trust Chairman, Peter Harnett, stated "I should like to offer our warm thanks to you for looking kindly upon a project which we feel has the potential to be of substantial and enduring benefit to all Olicanians."

We welcome all contributors - individuals, local businesses, schools and societies, to demonstrate their interest in this unique opportunity to celebrate the Millennium in Ilkley.
 

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