Page 22 - link magazine

22 END PIECES
Play to be made Lydiard House: Swindon's Past nestled with Swindon's Future
more important Steve Greenwood takes a look at one of the attractions on our doorstep
Following visitor figures of up to 1,800 per week this summer Lydiard House is rapidly establishing
A new worker who will spe- itself as a major tourist attraction. Many West Swindon residents who visit the House and Park
cialise in developing play oppor- actually do so from houses built on land once part of the Estate!
tunities for local children has just century architecture, Lydiard
started work in West Swindon. Much of what is now 'Hi-Tech' passed into the hands of the St.
Paul Ryan (pictured below) business parks and housing es- John family in the 15th Century House is classical in design,
comes to the area from a course tates used to be land overseen by and remained theirs for the next remodelled from an older ver-
and various play and commu- the owners of Lydiard - the St. 500 years. The family portraits sion of the building in 1742. It is
nity work jobs in Manchester, John family. In fact the original currently line the walls of their renowned for the elegance of its
Southampton and London. His estate covered some 5,400 acres. ancestral home in a vivid and Palladian and Rococo ceilings and
appointment is the result of a cam- Mentioned in the Domesday impressive display. intriguing painted glass window.
paign last year to improve play book, Lydiard House and Estate In contrast to the nearby 20th The House and Park, both sadly
opportunities for children. Par- dilapidated, were bought by the
ents in Toothill argued for finan- Swindon Corporation in 1943.
Since then the House has been
cial support from Thamesdown painstakingly restored to its for-
Council's Arts and Recreation
Committee for an after-school mer state of wellbeing.
The last resident of the House,
club. The club was eventually Vernon Henry - 6th Viscount
funded by local charities, but the Bolingbroke, 7th Viscount St.John
Committee agreed to employ a
Play Development Worker' to - was a learned and keen lepidop-
work in West Swindon. terist or butterfly collector, and
was often seen stalking the
Paul will be working with
people over teh age of 5, and at grounds with his large net!
present there are an estimated The present Viscount emi-
3,500 youngsters between the grated to New Zealand and has
ages of 5 and 10 in the areaand never lived in the house his an-
1,300 between the ages of 11 and cestors once occupied. Admis-
15. sion is free to the house where
souvenirs and modestly priced
His brief is to discover what
the needs of local children are gifts are on sale.
and then work with local people Other Thamesdown Attractions
Explore the rich heritage of Swindon
including children - to raise the worker be employed; children existing Toothill After School further by visiting the Great Western
profile of and improve the op- lust play don't they. But Paul be- Club and the WASPS free Railway Museum (and Railway Vil-
portunities for play. Many people lieves that the way children learn playschemes, he is keen to meet lage Cottage), The Museum and Art
may ask why should a play and develop should be under- people in all parts of West Swin- Gallery in Bath Road, and the Richard
stood. "Play is something that don who have ideas about meet- Jefferies and Agricultural Museum at
children do all the time. It's one ing the needs of children in their Coate Water.
wayby which they develop physi-
cally, intellectually, emotionally. What does the future hold?
,
Play is a natural, creative and
interactive way of learning and if September 3rd sees the start of a homes in the area and there will
the quality of play activity avail- week during which a Bible-based also be a caravan in Car Park B of
able to local children is good, it's exhibition, 'Has Mankind a Fu- the West Swindon Centre during
an important contribution to the ture', will tour the village centres the week. All these arrangements
development of the community." of West Swindon. Providing have been made by the Christa-
Paul's job is to work with and interest for everyone, the exhibi- delphians of Eastcott Hill, and
through local people to create bet- tion uses the Bible to shod light are subject to God's Will. All are
ter play opportunities for children on the social, political and envi- welcome to attend.
rather than to organise play ac- ronmental issues of modern life
tivities directly. In this way, there and paints a positive picture of Exhibition Sites
will eventuallybe more, and more hope for the future. The exhibi- Monday 4 - 1230pm -9 .00pm
relevnt, play opportunities. tion also has a display of old Club Room, Link Centre
Whilst he has commitment to Bibles and there will be a compe- Tuesday 5 - 930am - 900pm
assist the development of the tition to find the oldest Bible in Club Room, Link Centre
the area. Wednesday 6 - 200pm - 900pm
Upper Shaw Farm Community
Keystrokes tudes of West Swindon residents Centre
In a bid to find out the atti-
towards current world events, Thursday 7 - 930am - 900pm
Toothill Community Centre
A complete Electronic Design and Desktop religion and the Bible, a door-to- Evening Talks - 7.30p.m.
Publishing service in West Swindon. door survey will be carried out Monday 4 - Toothill Farm
during the week and the results
The Bible, God's Answer'
published. Tuesday 5 Freshbrook
Reports, newsletters, posters, leaflets, Evening talks at the venues A future - through Christ'
brochures, forms, programmes, business cards. below will consider various sub- Wednesday 6 - Freshbrook
jects related to the Bible and 'Is God in control?'
A wide range of typefaces, modern society, complementing Thursday 7 - Toothill
styles and sizes
the theme of the exhibition.
'Israel, a key to the future'
available to compliment creative electronic Leaflets detailing the week's Thursday 7 - Westlea
design. activities will be delivered to all 'What does the future hold?'
Going on Holiday? Pensioner Clothing Alterations & Repairs.
will look after your home and/or Tel: 872096
Tel: 872282 pets and garden. Excellent refer- Mrs. White, Freshbrook
ences. Tel: 614879 for quotation