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Bradford Council have now responded to the situation caused by the fallen willow and cleared away the obstruction to allow free flow along the gills, incidentally also helping to restore an attractive vista towards the moor, which it may be possible to enhance by further managed clearance in the future.
During rough weather conditions a large willow tree has fallen into the gill at the lower end of the site. Whilst we recognise that both fallen and standing deadwood are valuable habitats for a range of creatures, this treefall is forming a dam which could lead to the gill flooding into neighbouring streets, particularly after heavy rainfall. Site manager Stuart Goddard has alerted Bradford Council services to clear the blockage as a matter of urgency.
As part of Ilkley's celebration of the bicentenary of Charles Darwin's birth, the Trust has organised a series of free guided walks taking in the places associated with his visit to the area. Led by former Trust Secretary Ken Cooke, these walks provide a prospect of the buildings around Darwin Gardens familiar to the great naturalist and author of 'On the Origin of Species', first published 150 years ago during Darwin's residence in Ilkley. Participants at Bradford University's International Darwin Conference recently enjoyed taking the tour of these historic locations, plus the sight of the Millennium Green's tree and hedgerow plantings bearing fruit.
The University of Bradford is marking the bicentenary of Charles Darwin's birth by holding an International Darwin Conference on 24th-26th September, an event which will bring together speakers from the disciplines of the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities. The final day's session of the conference will take place at the Manor House Museum in Ilkley, and full details of the whole programme, including a booking form, can be found at www.brad.ac.uk/darwin2009/
As of June 25th, Ilkley Parish Council formally became the sole corporate trustee of the Darwin Gardens Trust, taking over responsibility for the continuing management of the Millennium Green. Former trustees have met with representatives from IPC including Councillor Stuart Goddard who has taken the role of Project Manager. We look forward to working with Stuart during a year-long 'familiarisation period' commencing with a site visit to prepare for Ilkley's summer inspection by Britain in Bloom judges.
At a recent meeting of Ilkley Parish Council, the current trustees signed the relevant documents that will, when approved by Natural England, transfer the trusteeship of the Millennium Green to IPC, heralding a significant new era in the evolution of Darwin Gardens. The site will of course continue to be a wonderful resource for wildlife, allied to a peaceful recreational area for both local residents and visitors.
Two plants which were largely reintroduced by volunteers to the Millennium Green - red campion and water avens - are now flowering in abundance there, together with the wood avens or herb bennet which has remained indigenous to the site. As a result we now have hybrids between wood and water avens, which display some features from both the parent species, as shown in the images below.
Red Campion Wood Avens Hybrid Water Avens
Today is the 10th anniversary of the Darwin Gardens Trust, the organisation responsible for the creation and maintenance of Ilkley's Millennium Green. The trustees wish to pass on their best wishes to all who have volunteered their services or donated funds to the project, and to wish our many visitors continued enjoyment in the future.
A colourful character is frequently on the scene in the shape of a handsome male pheasant, and there is at least one female who may be nesting somewhere in Darwin Gardens. Floral colours are also in abundance now, with dazzling displays of primroses, and a flourishing establishment of wood anemones, both species that have been reintroduced by volunteer planters, and the thyme-leaved speedwell is a small but attractive plant with a delicate blue/purple flower.
After a rather long winter, welcome signs of spring are returning to the Millennium Green, including hazel catkins in the hedge and frogspawn in the pond. During the 'dormant season' volunteers have given the willow arbour its annual trimming, and contractors have laid an extension to the waterside pathway.
Today is the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth, and the occasion has been marked in Ilkley by a proclamation of the Town Crier, followed by a reception in the Council Chamber for representatives of local community groups.
As the location of Darwin's recuperative spa treatment during the publication of 'The Origin of Species', Ilkley has an enduring connection with this celebrated figure, to be reflected in a variety of events throughout this Bicentenary year.
Starting from main notice board in the Darwin Gardens car park, guided walks led by Ken Cooke will take in the places associated with Charles Darwin. All walks will start at 11am on the following Saturdays:
20th June, 18th July, 22nd August, 26th September, 17th October
In addition, a leaflet describing the walk is available from the Tourist Information Centre on Station Road, Ilkley and local bookshops.
At the Annual General Meeting of the Darwin Gardens Trust, those present voted unanimously to endorse the current trustees' resolution to fulfil the legal process which will have the effect of Ilkley Parish Council becoming a sole corporate trustee of the Millennium Green. Now that the Green has reached maturity and essentially requires a steady, low-level maintenance input, we feel that this will be the best course of action for its long term security.