A year on from our official opening by Jilly Cooper, we can look back on the exciting achievements that have continued since, in some extracts from our annual report:

The Millennium Maze, laid out with considerable help from staff and volunteers of Bradford Countryside Service, has become a very popular attraction for people of all ages, not only from the local community, but also from outside the district; and laying of the feature flagstones sponsored by businesses and societies has continued throughout the year.

The wide range of benches and picnic tables installed over the site have been regularly used at all seasons. Permanent information boards have been erected to display site maps, news of events and regular updates of progress.

An extensive program of scrub clearance to allow natural regeneration of ground flora has continued throughout the winter months along the sides of the ghyll, augmented by major plantings of suitable native wildflower species. This gave impressive displays of daffodils and fritillaries, the latter in the wildflower meadow area developed by Moorfield School.

Two monumental circular stone seats featuring pebble mosaics have been completed. The designs on the themes 'Tree of Life' and 'Living Waters' were developed by students from Ilkley Grammar School, and the latter monument has been complemented by a series of cascades formed within an adjacent stream by local volunteer workers.

Deteriorated lengths of tarmac path have been completely relaid, and a major new length of pathway has been created using a crushed sandstone on a limestone and geotextile base. Together with a new timber bridge, these improvements permit all-weather pedestrian and wheelchair access to almost all areas of the site, whilst opening up new routes and views.

Twenty major new trees have been planted this winter, sponsored by individuals and groups, together with donated saplings and seedlings. Taller guards have been installed on  the groves planted last year to give greater protection against grazing sheep.

Work on the human sundial and viewpoint seating area is well-advanced. We have also set up a flagpole and released a visitor information leaflet. The Trust's achievements have been honoured by our reception at the Lord Mayor's Civic Thank You and praised by Ilkley Parish Council & Ilkley Civic Society.

Major donors have included Shell Better Britain Campaign, E H Booth, Ilkley Carnival, Ilkley Rotary Club and Kennedy Thompson & Davies. Continuing grant support from the Countryside Agency places us in a confident position to complete  the project in 2001-2, and to carry out ongoing maintenance in association with Bradford Council.

We regret that whilst the current precautions against the spread of 'Foot & Mouth Disease' remain in force the Green is open to AUTHORISED USERS ONLY and there is NO PUBLIC ACCESS from the pavement alongside Wells Road, or elsewhere.