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The ceremonial planting of the oak tree, awarded as a prize for the "Waveney Village of the Year", marked the start of the work to establish the green. This was followed in October 1998 with work to re-establish the pond, in the corner of the field, which had long since become overgrown and dried out. This is now flourishing and beginning to become established as an attractive wildlife area.
Over the following winter and spring of 1999, working parties planted a mixed hedge across the boundary, and over 500 whips in two small copses. A wildflower meadow and the large area of amenity grass are now well established as is the winding path allowing easy access across the green for pushchairs, prams and wheelchairs.
In the autumn of 1999 a round stand of ten English Oak trees was planted on the green. The round stand was chosen to reflect the round nature of three historic buildings in the village, the mill, the cattle pound and the church tower. The trees were planted by various representatives, on behalf of organisations in the village. These included the local Primary school, the Youth club the Sunshine club and the Church. At the centre of the circle of oaks is one of the nation-wide network of millennium beacons which was lit on the eve of the new millennium and will be lit on other suitable occasions in the future.
Over the winter 2000/01 an area on the northern edge of the green leading down to the pond has been planted with a variety of well established trees. These have all been donated by villagers and many of them have plaques with a variety of interesting inscriptions. The Countryside Agency thought that this was an excellent idea and considered it to be unique amongst the many Millennium Greens. They also complimented the Trustees on the way that the Green was developing and were particularly pleased with the pond and the tree planting schemes. Four seats have now been added around the edge of the path and overlooking the pond completing the final part of the original plan. Half the cost of maintainance of the green was provided up to the end of 2001after which it has become the sole responsibility of the Trustees.
The Green was officially opened as a part of the village celebrations of the Queens Golden Jubilee, by the winner of the Jubilee childrens fancy dress competition on Monday 3 June 2002.
The Golden Jubilee celebrations were centred on the Millennium Green beginning with a Songs of Praise around the pond on Sunday 2 June. On Monday there were village sports, a tea party for the young and senior citizens, a beer tent, a dance in the evening to the music of 'Atomic Playboys' from Gt Yarmouth and the lighting of the Millennium beacon as a part of the national chain. |
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