John Cunliffe, the celebrated creator of 'Postman Pat' and 'Rosie & Jim' was our guest of honour at the opening of a new viewpoint seating area situated at the top end of the Green. At a ceremony attended by a crowd of well-wishers, including local MP Ann Cryer and Ilkley Parish Council Leader Mike Gibbons, John ceremonially 'cut the brambles' to open this unique circular feature.

The belvedere or viewpoint has been constructed to provide seating combined with wheelchair access, to take in the superb views over the valley and across Ilkley Moor to the Hangingstones, from the highest point of the Green. Reached from the 'Sand Walk', the viewpoint is backed by new shrub plantings, including bushes of berberis darwinii. Construction of the feature was aided by a grant from Shell Better Britain Campaign.

The feature includes a large oak bench dedicated to all volunteers whose efforts have helped to create and maintain Darwin Gardens. The dedication plaque includes verse from local historian Frazer Irwin, in recognition of his pioneering contributions towards establishing a project to mark the Millennium on this site. An adjacent boulder displays a pictorial plaque designed by Jean Stockham (a former tenant of White Wells), in honour of the trustees whose unstinting dedication has brought this project to successful fruition.

The whole feature is styled 'Millennial Vision', to commemorate the enterprise, industry and commitment to the future of all those who have acted to benefit the local environment, for both human and wildlife communities, by supporting the creation of Darwin Gardens. It marks the start of the final phase of Ilkley's Millennium Green, which is planned to include further extensive bulb planting; and a good turnout of volunteers is expected to help complete the project (watch out for our work-party date announcements!)

Within the Millennium Maze, numbering of all the maze flagstones has been completed, and the feature flagstone dedicated to Rombalds District Guide Association has been laid. The low wall on the approach to the steps from the car park area has been restored, and the 'leaf ' motif which forms the footway beneath the lower signboard is also now complete.

Free visitor information leaflets are now available from a box beneath our main signboard (by the car park area), and these also include information and application forms for dedicating flagstones in the Millennium Maze. We welcome your support for this community project, and hope that it will continue to provide a valuable source of 'recreation & relaxation, education & inspiration' in the future.

Remember that this website now includes a new picture gallery and links to other sites of related interest, helping to make Darwin Gardens Millennium Green a place for all seasons, indoors as well as out!