Now that the summer holiday season is underway, and with some prospects for picnic weather, we have selected a range of seats and picnic tables to be installed on site. Much of this furniture is manufactured from a very strong recycled plastic material, and has been supplied by a Yorkshire-based business. We believe that the products are both attractive, comfortable and durable, and accord well with our intention of supporting environmentally-friendly initiatives and local businesses.
 

  Benches and seats are being placed around the Millennium Maze area, whilst the picnic tables, which include a version to accommodate wheelchairs and a circular table for children, will be spaced around the Wharfedale Naturalists' oak tree, below the 'car-park'. We hope to eventually extend the wildflower meadow area around these tables, which will however remain easily accessible by keeping pathways mown through the developing meadow.
 

  More traditional iron-framed wooden seats are also being installed, along the pathways in the upper part of the Green, and the first of these to appear has been kindly donated by the Kent family. The surroundings of the maze have now been fully cleared of construction materials and will be returfed, providing a grassy bank from which the antics of maze users can be surveyed. The maze is proving hugely popular with visiting school parties, so it is not uncommon to see up to 100 children at a time enjoying this unique feature!
 

  Our volunteers, led by Brian Hill, are successfully keeping the regrowth of bracken and brambles in check over areas which were formerly overrun with these plants. Our establishing hedgerow trees are resisting the attentions of grazing sheep, and so far seem to have a success rate of over 95%.
 

  There have been changes to the cyberscape as well, as we have now established our own website at www.darwingardens.co.uk and welcome visitors to this new address, as the focal point for information and progress updates on Darwin Gardens Millennium Green. We welcome all sections of our community - individuals, businesses, schools and societies, to become involved in this unique opportunity to commemorate the Millennium in Ilkley!