The Millennium Mural - A montage of marquetry plaques, each measuring 12 inches across the flats and representing an event, place or achievement of the last 2000 years. The Mural is displayed in a honeycomb formation and featured at the Bexley 2000 exhibition. It was exhibited around the country at other exhibitions over the following years and has been admired by many thousands of Marquetarians since.

1 - MERIDIAN LINE

In 1749 the Astronomer Royal - James Bradley, first defined the Greenwich Meridian. In 1885 an International Conference in Washington D.C.chose Greenwich to be the Meridian ie 0 degrees.

With electronics, satellites etc., time and longitude measurements have moved on but the Greenwich Meridian is still the origin of both.

West Kent - B. Bedford.

2 - OFFSHORE OIL /GAS RIG

Oil rigs in the North Sea supply oil and gas to the Mainland as well as valuable exports. They are supplied with materials, food, workers by both helicopters and boats. At the rigs are Standby boats to deal with emergencies and to assist with escaping procedures.

Broadlands

3 - HERRING FLEET

The herring fleets that operated from Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft, were at their peak from 1900 to 1930. Scots fisher girls followed the herring fleets around the country to gut and pack the fish in brine, for export. The Caister - on - Sea lifeboat was rowed out to sea in the 1909's, it is now powered and has to be supported by public subscriptions. The Lowestoft Lighthouse, first built in 1735, rebuilt in 1847 and made fully automatic in 1975.

Broadlands

4 - QUEEN ELIZABETH   II

The QE II is undoubtedly the most famous and exciting cruise ship, one time the biggest in the world and is still one of the fastest. Travelling at 30 knots and capable of making the transatlantic crossing in the middle of winter. The facilities include a fully equipped hospital, nursery, daily entertainment and a dog kennel with run and lamppost.

Chelmsford - Pam Smith

5- THE GUNPOWDER PLOT 1605

This was a plot by a group of Roman Catholics to blow up King James the First as he opened Parliament. Guy (Guido) Fawkes was one of the principal plotters and was arrested on the eve of the event whilst he waited alone to fire the fuse. All principal plotters were hung, drawn and quartered in January 1606.

St. Albans - B. Stevens

6 - COAL MINING - ITS RISE AND FALL IN THE 20TH CENTURY

Mines were set up early in the century by private owners. Coal became the main source of energy for industry such as railways, steel, ship building and electricity. It was also used to heat millions of homes. The burning of coal caused major problems with pollution between the1950's and 1970's and was a cause of health problems. The discovery of cheap oil and gas in the North Sea saw the demise of the then National Coal Industry. The strike motto in the late1980's was 'Coal not Dole', but to no avail as uneconomic pits were closed.

St. Albans - F. Taylor

7 - STEPHENSONS 'ROCKET'

Stephensons 'Rocket' was the winner of the Rainhill Trials, on the Manchester to Liverpool Line in October 1829. It alone completed the journeys, fulfilling all the conditions and winning of £500 with a speed of 29 mph. The colours are authentic, the tender was a barrel instead of a tank.

St. Albans - B Grey

8 - TOWER OF LONDON

Built as a fortress to subjugate the English, the Tower later became a royal residence. However, it is best known as a place of execution. Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard and Lady Jane Grey were all beheaded here. Weapons, instruments of torture and execution are on display in the museums.

St, Albans - E Maestranzi

9 - CRUCIFIXION

Jesus brought salvation above all by his sacrificial death on the cross and his rising to a new life. The Passion of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is a pledge of victory and a lesson in patience.

St. Albans - E Maestranzi

10 - EILMERS FLIGHT

The first recorded flight. In 1010 AD the young monk Eilmer made himself wings and attempted flight from the tower of Malmesbury Abbey. William of Malmesbury, historian writing a century later, records that Eilmer flew for a furlong before crash landing and breaking his legs. Eilmer attributed his failure to not having provided himself with a tail.

Cotswold - P D Stevens

11 - St. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL

Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece St Paul's Cathedral as viewed from Newgate Street seen after a bombing raid (Called the Blitz) on 30th. December 1940.

Redbridge - Alan Mansfield