SPECIAL UPDATE : 21 April 2000  'COMING OF AGE'

 
The trustees have accepted an offer from the Countryside Agency for Darwin Gardens to become a Millennium Green, thus joining this prestigious national programme funded by the Millennium Commission. We are delighted to be awarded the chance to participate in this initiative, which aims to create 250 'greens' to benefit local communities all over the country, as a worthwhile and enduring way of celebrating the Millennium.

The grant offer is worth up to £27,000 spread over the next two years, and together with our other sources of funding, will guarantee realisation of the project proposals for the site in their entirety. The attainment of this grant is a fitting tribute to the inspired efforts and enthusiasm of our volunteer workers; to the generosity of our individual, group and business donors; and to the heartfelt commitment of the Darwin Gardens Trustees.

The support of Bradford District Council and Ilkley Parish Council in helping to bring about this splendid achievement is also most gratefully acknowledged. We look forward to continuing a constructive relationship with both bodies, and with the Countryside Agency, in the development of the project. To exploit the full potential of this offer, we intend to expand our programme of volunteer work-parties, complemented by specialist contractors, to create and establish several attractive features within the scheme by the end of next year. We shall also continue to consult widely within the local community in endeavouring to ensure that the Darwin Gardens Millennium Green can be maintained to meet the needs of a broad range of users.

The official opening will take place on Saturday 24th June (Midsummer Day), with the novelist Jilly Cooper, who spent her early years in Ilkley, to perform the ceremony. As well as the unveiling of a special plaque of Charles Darwin, a number of other events are planned to mark the occasion. These include a procession of children costumed to represent various creatures illustrating evolutionary development; the mass performance of a song specially composed for the ceremony; a dramatisation of Charles Darwin's association with Ilkley; and a community dance event based on the famous fylfot symbol, also used in the design of the Millennium Maze which is to be the central feature of Darwin Gardens.

We believe that Darwin Gardens Millennium Green has the potential to be a major asset to our town, and hope that Olicanians will derive much pleasure and justifiable pride in this contribution to our heritage. 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.

Note this green letter date in your diary! - our official opening will be on 24th June 2000

Back to Archive