A record turnout of 24 volunteers took part in our community hedge planting day, held during National Tree Week, and we have now planted a total of 500 hedgerow trees. We will be holding two more work-party days (see date below) to plant the remaining 500, completing a hedge to link all parts of the site, symbolising the 1000 years of a millennium. All these events are supported by the Forest of Bradford, a Council-based initiative which seeks to increase tree cover within the Bradford District, and to stimulate a sympathetic awareness and understanding of the importance of trees in the environment.

'Family Trees' in the hedgerow can be dedicated at a cost of £1 per tree (payable to The Darwin Gardens Trust) either on site during work party days, or by post or personal call to: The Parish Clerk's Office, The Town Hall, Ilkley, LS29 8HB. (01943 436212) (personal callers between 10 - 12 am on Mondays/Wednesdays/Thursdays/Fridays please). A free tree dedication will also be offered to every volunteer who helps to plant the hedge!

Stones in the Millennium Maze can also be dedicated as above, at a cost of £5 per stone (or £25 for business/community group 'feature stones'). Dedications will also be available from our stall in Booth's superstore during the weekend of 18th - 19th December. Groups which have recently dedicated stones include Menston Pre-School Playgroup, Ilkley Civic Society, The British Society of Painters, The British Watercolour Society, and www.ilkley.org.

We are hoping to put the map of the maze on the worldwide web, with the assistance of www.ilkley.org (alias the Ilkley Pages community website). Each dedicated stone will be allocated webspace to post a personal 'Thought for the Millennium', to be accessed from the stone number. In this way, our individual (or group) inspirations could be made available worldwide via the internet.

The Sir George Martin Trust, a locally based charity, has made a generous donation towards The Darwin Gardens Millennium Scheme. In thanking their Secretary, Peter Marshall, Darwin Gardens Trust Chairman, Peter Harnett, stated "I should like to thank you most kindly for this donation, which will be put to use in purchasing materials for Phase I of the scheme."

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

Work-party days will be held at West View Park (weather permitting) from 10am to 4pm on:

• Sunday 5th December 'Dig Deep';
• Sunday 12th December 'Nearly Christmas Tree Planting'

 

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