Work has now commenced on laying the first of two monumental pebble mosaics. The circular mosaic, on the theme of the 'Tree of Life' was designed by Ilkley Grammar School pupil Thomas Anderson. It features a stylised border of roots encircling the Earth, and sending out tree limbs which reach up towards a central Sun. Bird and leaf motifs represent the animal and vegetable 'worlds', and relate the design to the study of natural history, the subject of Charles Darwin's research.

Tom has helped us to complete the first panel of the mosaic, which uses pebbles gathered from the River Wharfe in Ilkley; and Darwin Gardens Trust volunteers will continue working throughout the Bank Holiday and during the following week.
We acknowledge Booth's Supermarkets for their generous support of this splendid monument to the Millennium.

Yorkshire Day brought us an unusual donation from Fred Backhouse of Barwick-in-Elmet: a Tillingham Pippin apple tree, descended from the trees which Darwin first noted on the island of Chiloe in the Pacific. They have a prolific ability to grow from cuttings, and Mr Backhouse has raised many to fruit-bearing maturity in this way. We shall grow the tree on in our nursery to a suitable stage for planting out as a feature of the Millennium Green.

Two more feature flagstones have been laid in the Millennium Maze, dedicated by Olicana Historical Society and Menston Preschool Playgroup. Playgroup members attending the ceremony found that they could look into their flagstone's plaque for a personal 'vision of the future'! We have also received a visit from local MP Ann Cryer, who enjoyed an informal tour of the Green with members of her family.

The newly-installed picnic tables and seats have proved an instant success with visitors, and are in regular use. A further traditional bench is to be installed shortly, purchased with a donation from Ilkley Good Neighbours Community Fund, and will be sited in a tranquil corner near the ghyll. Bradford Council have moved one of the litter bins to a more convenient position adjoining their 'car-park' area, improving the setting of our 'Darwin's View' monument.

Remember that all our progress updates plus a host of other information on Darwin Gardens Millennium Green can now be found at our dedicated website www.darwingardens.co.uk  kindly hosted by Ian Chamberlain, one of the Trust's volunteers. 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!