History of Kaye's Millennium Green

Kaye's Millennium Green came about as a consequence of the benevolence of a local family, combined with the support of many local organisations. The photos have been provided by the Trust that administers the Green - click on each of them if you want to see a larger version.

It is not clear exactly when the house known as ‘The Park’ was built though records show that alterations were done in the 1860’s. However we do know that on 10 July 1896 ‘Mr John Kaye Bradbury, grandson and heir of the late Mr John Kaye JP, attained the age of 25 years and came into possession of the extensive real property left him under his grandfather’s will … comprising the greater part of Clayton West, and including the pleasantly situated residence with its extensive park-like ground’

One hundred years later, in the 1990s the land was in the ownership of JK Bradbury’s descendants, Robin and Tim Bradbury who were keen to determine its future as an amenity for the village. Some controversial proposals to provide housing alongside a formal landscaped ‘park’ were vociferously rejected by the local community and fortuitously in 1995 the Millennium Greens Initiative appeared.

The site was accepted as one of 25 pilot sites and in early 1996 a working group was set up. This was followed by a formal Trust, elected at a public meeting in January 1997 comprising 12 local people. The Bradbury brothers agreed to gift the land to the trust and the terms of the Millennium Greens grant allowed this gift to be quantified as matching funding. The project was costed at £52,000 50% of which would be awarded by the Millennium Greens Initiative and the match would be achieved through the land value, further fund raising and quantified volunteer labour.
	Further consultation confirmed that the wish of local people was ‘to keep the park as it is’. However the early surveys described the land as a managed landscape in quite severe decline and recommended management intervention to ensure that it retained its valued character in the future. The development plan was based on these findings. It was agreed that the green should be known as KAYE’S MILLENNIUM GREEN and work began on site in August 1998.

FESTIVITIES AT CLAYTON WEST, JULY 10 1896 MR J.K. BRADBURY AND HIS TENANTRY
‘Friday last was a great day at Clayton West, a day of much rejoicing and general felicitation, which will long be held in pleasant remembrance by the inhabitants at large, old and young. Mr John Kaye Bradbury reached his twentififth birthday on 10 July this year and celebrated the occasion by inviting his tenants and their wives, the workpeople on the estate, and many of his neighbours and friends to come and dine with him. For this purpose a large marquee was erected in the park and the whole of the arrangements in connection with the interesting gathering were on a large and liberal scale.
	…the village itself was more or less en fete, banners and other tokens of appreciation of the event being freely displayed by the residents. …they found various forms of amusement awaiting them … a first rate Punch and Judy show, a number of swings and hobby horses, a phonograph, two bands of music and other attractions. At four o’clock some 300 children who had received tickets of invitation sat down to tea in the large tent. They were regaled without stint, … and when they had finished gave three ringing cheers for their host, Mr Bradbury.
….A couple of hours later, by which time the park presented a very animated appearance, the dinner to the tenants, servants &c was served. There were about 317 guests in all … the dinner was of a bounteous and substantial character, the menu comprising salmon, lamb, beef, chickens, ducks &c followed by plum pudding and cheese, and washed down with beer, aerated waters and other drinks supplied ad libitum.
	…There was provided a variety of entertainment by a talented group of artistes…. The programme included a very amusing sketch and also an ‘assault at arms’ by two clever exponents of the fistic art. At dusk the grounds were lit up with fairy lamps and the festivities were brought to a close with a grand display of fireworks which greatly delighted both old and young.’