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The Labyrinth in Trinity Gardens
The Millennium Project
It was agreed by the Millennium Committee to mark this occasion in Whitehaven by the construction of something that could still be in place
for the next Millennium. It was decided that this would take the form of a Labyrinth, and would be sited in the grounds of the former
Trinity Church, on the Scotch Street/ Irish Street junction. Anyone who so desired could make a contribution towards the cost of the project,
and they would be given a certificate and chosen name inscribed in a memorial book, as being a contributor to this unique feature in the town.
Labyrinths have been in existence for over 4000 years and can be found in many of the major religious traditions throughout the world.
Roman mosaics often showed them as fortified cities, and in mediaeval Europe they symbolized the one true path to Christian salvation.
During the Crusades the pilgrimage to the Holy Land was symbolized by the labyrinth. People sometimes make the erroneous assumption
that a labyrinth and a maze are the same thing, but where a maze has many dead ends and false turns, a labyrinth has only one path which
leads to the centre, and then back out again. This path has no dead ends and no false turns.
Everyone has their own reason to start a walk, whether it is to focus on a particular problem, or to pray or simply to find a sense of inner
well-being with oneself. A different experience can be gained with each walk and no two people will gain the same benefit. As you move round
the paths entering different circuits, both sides of the brain are stimulated in turn, so inducing receptive states of consciousness. Today
labyrinths are more popular than ever before, and their imagery is used widely in puzzles, films and as an advertising medium.
There has also been a dramatic increase in their use in a spiritual way by Christians.
Labyrinths are normally in three basic designs and can have either seven, eleven or twelve circuits. They are usually circular, but there
is an octagonal one in the Cathedral at Amiens in France. A very famous one can be seen at the Cathedral of Chartres, also in France,
and this one has eleven circuits. It is said to be built to the same dimensions as the Rose window over the west doors, and the measurement
from the edge of the labyrinth to the main entrance is the same as the measurement from the floor to the bottom of the window on the west wall.
If the point where the floor and the wall meet was hinged, when closed, the labyrinth would fit directly on top of the window. Though
usually built with stone, other materials have been used for their construction. Among these are sand, flour, and even string as a temporary
measure, but for a permanent feature any natural material is used, and the design is sometimes cut out turf. Sizes too can vary, from
something that will fit on a stone and can be travelled by using a finger, to anything up to forty feet in diameter.
The labyrinth in Chartres Cathedral and the centrepiece of the Whitehaven labyrinth.
Designed by Shaun Williamson and measuring almost thirty eight feet across with eleven circuits, this is a feature unique in the area.
Work started on the project in the autumn of 2000 and was carried out by the Groundwork Trust. After approximately three months
the Labyrinth was completed, and the opening ceremony was conducted by the Rev Canon Jim Baker, the Chairman of the Millennium
group on the afternoon of New Years Eve 2000.
The Commemorative plaque and inscribed rock