What is a Millennium Green? 
To celebrate the new century the Countryside Agency offered grant support to local communities to create Millennium Greens. These are open spaces to be preserved for ever, to be enjoyed by the local community and their visitors for informal recreation and conservation.

The "Green Arrow" passes the Millennium Green, 2001

It’s a breathing space for villages where children can learn about nature and an opportunity for people of all ages to enjoy a quiet walk in peaceful surroundings .

Archive photographs of project activity

The Manor Farm area
The Manor Farm area is particularly interesting because of the number of community projects which have already been developed there. Some of these are of historic significance, such as the restored Tithe Barn and the Cartshed, and the moatfield behind the church, which is a scheduled ancient monument. The Poppleton Parishes Archaeology Project is carrying out work around the church and the moatfield site. The Wildlife area next to the Cartshed is another environmental scheme.

For further information contact
Rob Holliday 01904 785906 

www.poppleton.net/millgreen

Website created by Susan Major  

How was the Nether Poppleton Millennium Green developed? 
In 2000 a group of local people in Poppleton formed the Nether Poppleton Millennium Green Trust, a registered charity, to buy some land from the City of York Council. Public meetings were held to generate ideas and plans for the site. The project is dependent on voluntary labour and is entirely financed through grants and fund-raising . 

Is it just for the people of Nether Poppleton?
No - it’s for both villages - Upper and Nether Poppleton - and their visitors. We named it Nether Poppleton Millennium Green to distinguish it from the Green at Upper Poppleton . 

What’s special about the Green? 
It’s an opportunity to enhance our visual and natural environment. It contains hundreds of trees, shrubs and hedgerow plants and a wildflower meadow.It’s a haven for wildlife, which is reflected in the planting scheme.

We’ve planted orchard trees to reflect Poppleton’s heritage, and at the same time ensuring that views of York Minster are preserved. The path around the field is specially designed for wheelchair access, and benches have been installed at various points.

Dogs on a lead are welcome but please don’t allow your dog to foul the Green, as we must safeguard the health of children using it. A dog poop collection point is located near the entrance to the moatfield. 

This is an environmental scheme and we encourage users of the Green to walk or cycle there, rather than use cars. Cycle racks have been installed. Cyclists should give way to pedestrians.

How much has it cost? 
We’ve raised around £30,000 to buy the land and establish the Green with paths, planting etc. Our volunteers look after the Green but we still have to meet annual maintenance costs of about £1200.

Our sponsors 
We’re very pleased to acknowledge the support of the following in helping us to establish the Green

We’re also grateful for support from Denison Till Solicitors and other individuals. 

Other links
Index of websites for Millennium Greens in England   maintained by the Heydour Parish Millennium Green Trust.

Where is it? 
It’s the five acre field opposite St Everilda’s Church in the Manor Farm area of Nether Poppleton, near to the River Ouse and the East Coast railway line. Nether Poppleton is four miles north west of the centre of York.
Location map

Special features  

Artworks were commissioned by the Trust from Steve Blaylock. These are bird sculptures which have been mounted on telegraph poles as an artistic feature for the site.The sculptures (hawk, owl, woodpecker and duck) are intended to be dramatic but also to reflect local bird-life. 
Plan showing location of the new artworks

Owl sculpture

Trust volunteers with sculptures

Steve Blaylock with duck sculpture

Woodpecker sculpture


Duck sculpture alongside the main East Coast Intercity line