FINISHING FEATURES
This year sees completion of all major landscape features originally planned
for the Green. During the Ilkley Midsummer Festival, the last of the feature
flagstones were laid for the Ilkley Gazette, Wharfe Valley Times, Ilkley
Carnival, Candy Box, Green Health Store, and culminating with Stone Number
1000 for Gasbags. All hedgerow trees immediately enclosing the maze have
now been adopted, but there are still opportunities to take part in the
adoption scheme along the hedge beside the ghyll and daffodil bank -
see details below.
The pond area has been enhanced by laying an area of decking with a
seat, both made from rotproof recycled plastic, within the adjacent willow
arbour. Rustic fencing constructed mainly from ash poles cut on site, together
with a gateway, have provided a finishing touch to this peaceful and secluded
spot.
TREE TIME
Recent donations include flowering quinces beside the maze area, and attractive
ceramic plaques by a local craftswoman which have been mounted on several
trees over the site. During National Tree Week, the very last trees
to be planted on this site for the foreseeable future, including several
varieties of flowering crab apple, were finally placed in position.
Developing hedgerow trees beside the daffodil bank at the top end of
the site are now available for adoption. For a donation of just £2
per tree, we will affix name tags to trees, normally within one week of
receiving an application. Full details and application forms to send with
your donation can be obtained from our information point at the main signboard.
Alternatively you can use our website application
form.
With assistance from Bradford Council, our volunteers have made short
work of clearing fallen leaves from the many pathways over the site, and
we have again recycled leaves as mulch within the growing hedgerows.
PATHWAY PROGRESS
During the winter months a new stretch of pathway is being created by terracing
along the ghyllside below the existing sand path. We are already establishing
a new grass surface on the first stretch, and expect that the completed
pathway should provide some fascinating new perspectives on the wildlife
of the ghyll.
A host of other information, including an extensive picture gallery
and links to other sites of related interest is always available on-line
at this website making Darwin Gardens Millennium Green a place for all
seasons, indoors as well as out!
TROPHY TRIUMPH
Following last year's achievement in winning Yorkshire in Bloom's Millennium
Project Trophy, the Darwin Gardens Trust have decisively repeated their
victory by coming first in the concluding year of this competition. This
is a tremendous reward for all the effort and support put in by so many
people and organisations, from the local community and farther afield.
Creating Ilkley's Millennium Green has been a great team effort, and
this award will prove a lasting source of justifiable pride and satisfaction
to all who have helped to make our community's celebration of the Millennium
such a continuing success.
Congratulations are also due to Ilkley in Bloom for winning the Yorkshire
in Bloom 'Small Towns' category for Ilkley:
a well-deserved tribute for your sterling efforts on behalf of the
town by dedicated volunteers and Council staff.
Well done to all our supporters, near and far - and to all those involved
in the other projects taking part in this competition.
We wish you all much enjoyment from your Millennium Projects, both
now and throughout the years to come. Please feel free to
contact
us if you would like to take part in the continuing success story!
DARWIN GARDENS MILLENNIUM GREEN
is maintained by
the Darwin Gardens Trust and Bradford District Council
with volunteer support from and for the local community.
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