Page 27 - link magazine

www.swindonlink.com The Link Magazine • February 2001 27
Discovering the servants' life at Lydiard Park

A butler, cook, footmen, parlour and kitchen maids once cared for Lydiard House and kept the St John family who lived there in the style
that the landed gentry expected, writes Sarah Finch-Crisp, keeper of the house.
The heaviest household chores The Lydiard archives hold fasci- Spring flowers and
usually fell to the female staff in- nating information about many of children's activities
cluding cleaning and making the the outside staff - the gardeners
fires in the grand old fireplaces. In who tended the grounds, game- Saturday 17th to 5unoay
January Wiltshire County keepers who kept the local poach- 25th February
conservatation officer Sarah ers at bay and stable hands who
Stanley, below, painstakingly looked after his lordship's dogs House Christmas when over 1,000
cleaned and restored the bright and horses. people visited Lydiard's festive
steel fireplace surrounds which But information about the house- decorations, Lackham college
would once have been polished hold servants is more scarce which floristry students are returning to
daily by the overworked maids. is why volunteers from the Upper fill the house with sweet smelling
Thames Branch of the National Spring flowers.
Association of Decorative and Fine This is traditionally a good time
Arts (NADFAS) have recently be- to come and enjoy Lydiard's fa-
gun a project to discover more mous snowdrop displays in the
about Lydiard's forgotten people. park and warm up with hot drinks
They would welcome any infor- and cakes in the house. There is no
mation about anybody who additional charge to see the indoor
worked at Lydiard, even if it is just displays, (usual admission rates).
someone's name and approximate
From the Lydiard archives: Annie There is a special daily activity
date. Please write tomcat Lydiard Byford, housekeeper at Lydiard called 'Housekeepers Headache',
House, Swindon SN5 9PA or tel- Millicent Rectory, c1900 when children can spot what the
ephone 770401. careless maid has left behind. With
Schools with a group wishing to children's costumes, should ring their busy schedules you'd be sur-
learn about servants and every- Lydiard's Education Officer, prised what might be missed in
day life in a country house with Nicola Pardoe on the above running a big house This activity
Victorian objects to handle and number for information.
is £1 including admission and gift.

Pets Corner. Cats Protection League make neutering offer
From 14 February to 16 March the Swindon Branch of Cats Protection Make an appointment for your cat to be neutered with a participating
is offering free neutering for female cats over 6 months, or £15 towards veterinary surgeon who will have the authorisation forms.
the cost of neutering male cats over 6 months, if you are in receipt of any For details call the Swindon Cats Protection helpline: 644536 or go to
form of income support. Proof of the benefit received will be required. www.swindoncp.freeserve.co.uk
, \1
The Cats Whiskers PETS AT HOME 1 e . SHAW VETERINARY CENTRE
Country Cattery
Ivy House Farm Worried who will look v V Shaw Village Centre, Ramleaze Drive
Grittenham after your pets whilst
Wootton Bassett ^" C enr( L West Swindon SN5 9PY
you're on holiday?
Luxury for your cat and A friendly, caring service for you and your pet
peace of mind for you. Pets At Home
could be your answer David Warnes BVSc MRCVS • Stefania Glowka DVM MRCVS
Cuddle duties daily. Purposefully
and professionally built to conform to Pets At Home is a service Michelle Lindsay BVM&S MRCVS
the latest environmental health which cares for all your pets Consultations by appointment:
requirements. Comfort, hygiene and (except dogs) in their own home
safety of prime importance. Spacious, anywhere in the West Swindon Monday - Friday 8.30am - 7.30pm
heated, bright and airy chalets. All runs Saturday 9.00am - 4.00pm
area only.
protected from the elements. Single,
double and family units available. Telephone Sheila Mitchell 24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE
Open all year, 9am - 5pm for further details on Tel: (01793) 881919 (24 hours)
Call Mrs Briant on 01666 510750 873062

THE DROVE
VETERINARY ^^ ? Thmeswood
/ l
HOSPITAL
Small Animal Hospital
Abbeymeads Veterinary Surgery Helping you care more for your pet
Swindon's most modern small animal hospital,
For all your pets needs when healthy or Ill situated in North West Swindon, offering high quality surgical
and medical care at competitive prices within a caring, friendly
Unit 5 Opening hours: and professional environment.
Mon - Fri 9am - 6.30pm
Abbeymeads Village Centre
Saturday 2pm - 4pm
Elstree Way
Consulting hours: By appointment
Abbeymeads
Mon - Fri: 11am -12.30pm,
Swindon 2pm - 4pm; 5.30pm - 6.30pm
Tel: (01793) 728728 Saturday 2 - 4pm
24 HR EMERGENCY SERVICE - All Sunday and Emergency consults by
appointment at The Drove Veterinary Hospital - Telephone (01793) 522483