DARWIN Gardens Millennium Green in Ilkley is celebrating winning a Green Flag Award.

Darwin Gardens occupies a site adjacent to Wells Road and has fine views of Ilkley Moor.

Ilkley Town Council Clerk Louise Close said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive a Green Flag Award again this year. We have received 15 awards, continuously since 2005 and are very proud of our record of improvements to the Gardens over the years. These will continue with some exciting new developments planned for the Gardens next year.

"We know how much quality green spaces matter to residents and visitors, especially this year with the pandemic causing so much disruption to everyone’s lives and this award celebrates the dedication in particular of the groundsman, Philip Judd and Helen Gibbs, Deputy Clerk of the Town Council for their work planning and maintaining the Gardens to such a high standard."

On October 14 Mill Ghyll will join buildings and landmarks across the country, including the White Cliffs of Dover, the London Stadium in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Salford’s Media City, going green for parks to celebrate Darwin Garden’s Green Flag Award success.

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for their management across the United Kingdom and around the world.

Darwin Gardens is one of a number of sites across the country to collect the award this year.

Commenting on Darwin Gardens’ success, Keep Britain Tidy Chief Executive Allison Ogden-Newton OBE said: “This year, more than ever, our parks and green spaces have been a lifeline and we know that millions of people have used them to relax, meet friends, exercise or simply escape for a short time.

“It is testament to the incredible dedication of the Ilkley team that, despite the challenges that went along with record numbers of visitors, Darwin Gardens has achieved the highest international standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.”