Page 17 - link magazine

Swindon Wide

Discover Swindon's treasures

Lydiard House and St Mary's Church next door, are under recognised
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as two of the nation's most impressive heritage buildings, according to Make a lasting, c^^ ^ W ESr^^'2
Simon Jervis, chairman of the Furniture History Society and director of
the National Trust Historic Buildings Department. living contribution
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1
un it'
to the future

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Sir William Benyon. chairman. The Ernest Cook Trust, with trustees and
cabinet maker restorer Julian Howard, centre, Sarah Finch-Crisp,
second from right, Simon Jervis, chairman of the Furniture History
Society and director of the National Trust Historic Buildings Department
Speaking at a reception on 22 1 940s and early 1950s was
October to mark the Treasure For- achieved despite rationing and with
ever Conservation Programme at the support of Government agen-
Lydiard House and the restoration cies who recognised the excep- im
and return of the Socchi desk. Mr tional quality of the place. The tal-
Jervis said that whilst Swindon has ents and skills of local people who
an image problem. Lydiard House worked here is one reason why the
is a shining example of a heritage house or Lydiard Mansion as many
asset that enhances the history still call it, belongs to Swindon peo-
and culture of the town. ple every bit as it once did to the St
The Socchi desk, a mechanical John family."
table built by Italian craftsman She added that work to trace
Giovanni Socchi in the 1830s is and bring home the original Lydiard
the only example in Britain. and furnishings such as antiques. fam-
one of only five in the world. Pur- il y curios, royal manuscripts and
chased in the early 20th Century paintings dating back to Queen
by Mr Ernest Cook, a member of Elizabeth I has continued over fifty
the Cook travel company family, years.
who bequested it to Lydiard House A new leaflet explaining how
via the National Art Collections donations can be made through
Fund. The desk was first displayed Treasure Forever is available at
when Swindon Corporation reo- Lydiard House, or call Sarah Finch-
pened the house in 1955. Crisp on 770401 for details.
The restoration to its original
stunning back and gold finish was
funded entirely by The Ernest Cook
Trust. Chairman Sir William Sunday 2nd December 2001
Benyon said Mr Cook would have
taken enormous pleasure in see- 1 Oam to 3pm, Shaw Forest Park,
ing his complicated and rare piece
of furniture beautifully restored in West Swindon
such excellent surroundings. "One
can imagine 18th Century ladies Sponsored by
sitting at the desk writing their let-
ters." SwinDon BOROUGH COUl1C1L
Keeper of the house Sarah
Finch-Crisp said the Treasure For-
ever programme is a continuation
of the great post war restoration
programme which followed Swin-
don Corporation's purchase of
Lydiard Park during World War II. Swindon is said to be in the lead to
"The brave and inspirational become the headquarters for the
move on the part of the council National Trust when it moves out
undoubtedly saved Lydiard House of London. The Link suggests it The National
from demolition. Restoration of the buy Sir Norman Foster's Renault row rCt ' The Vale
Countryside
house by the corporation's Direct building in Westlea which is avail- Partnership Agency Forestry Commissoni 0 of white Horse
Labour Organisation in the late able.