By 1999, the committee of the Woolston Millennium Garden had negotiated a lease with Southampton City Council for the site and in the following March commissioned the artist, Pete Codling to work with residents, traders, young people, schools and community groups to create a design for the garden.

For the next six months people shared ideas and opinions about the function of the space. Children and young people met to learn more about art, design and the environment, and created their own ‘wish lists’. Open workshops were held and a vacant shop became a project studio and exhibition space for the many drawings and models. Visits to the local aviation museum and Vosper Thornycroft ship builders provided the inspiration for the garden’s theme - Flight & Float. A feather (which can both fly and float) was chosen to represent the 'Flight & Float' theme.

To follow the sequence of events from inception to completion, click on the "Timeline" page of this website.

Left click once on any image to enlarge.