Page 7 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • October 2002 7
Lydiard Park: preparing for a major lottery application
There was an enthusiastic public response to the £5.5 million proposals for restoring Lydiard Park, following publication of the ambitious
plans in the September Link magazine, writes Keeper of Lydiard House Sarah Finch-Crisp.
Over one thousand visitors en- reinforced by Government legis- If you haven't seen the propos-
joyed the free events and activities lation. als you can see them on The Link
at Lydiard Park over Heritage Simon Bonvoisin also described web site: www.swindonlink.coin
Open Weekend. Exhibitions about with reference to other areas of the An exhibition will be on display
the historic park and the restora- country, the very positive ways in in Central Library from 30 Sep-
tion proposals were displayed and which the proposals will help to tember to 11 October before tour-
Dr Stewart Harding, a national reduce vandalism in the park ing libraries across the town. A
authority on parks, gave a fully through increased levels of secu- permanent display and informa-
subscribed and revealing tour of rity and a much wider involve- tion point will open at Lydiard
the grounds, highlighting the im- ment in the care and management Park visitor centre on 26 October.
portance of re-establishing garden- of the park by the community. If you belong to a local group
ing at Lydiard and restoring the Greendown Community School and would like to have an illus-
historic views which once gave the teacher Bob Linnegar described the trated talk about the project please
park its simple grandeur and exciting opportunities the project contact Sarah Finch-Crisp at
breadth of landscape. t - presented for local children, both Lydiard House on 770401.
Dr Harding also focused on the for cross curriculum activities and
social evolution, relevance and Stewart Harding, describing the developing citizenship skills. Ramble around the park
benefits of parks for town dwell- historic value of Lydiard Park What next? Tuesday 29 October, 2.30pm
ers, especially for those who have The high value put on the park The council is currently preparing A tour of the 18th Century 'home
limited access to the wider coun- by local people was demonstrated its application to the Heritage Lot- circuit' to discover the hidden fea-
y
tr side and beautiful scenery. by concerns voiced in the meeting tery Fund for 75 per cent of the tures from the past and to discuss
A public presentation of the res- about further encroachment of development costs of the project. the restoration proposals.
toration proposals by the council's housing around Lydiard Park and The bid will be submitted to the
principal landscape consultant of increasing levels of vandalism and HLF at the end of October. It is Walk on the wild side
Lydiard, Simon Bonvoisin, was anti-social behaviour. anticipated that a decision on the Discover Swindon's WOW factor,
well attended at the West Swin- In response to the first concern - Lydiard proposal will be made by the Wealth Of Wildlife, on a walk
don library. The most visually dra- the essential setting of the historic April 2003. around Moulden Hill Park starting
matic part of the plan is the rein- park as defined in Lydiard's con- from Taw Hill Medical Centre on
y
statement of the lost lake and the servation plan and L diard's in- How to find out more Sunday 13 October, 1.30pm.
replanting of a unique early 18th clusion in the English Heritage Keeping people informed, seek- Find out about the town's
Century ornamental fruit and Register of Parks and Gardens of ing views and providing events Biodiversity Action Plan and how to
flower garden for which archaeo- Special Historic Interest in Eng- and opportunities for participation contribute to it. Details from Neil
logical and documentary evidence land, does provide an important in the project is of central impor- Pullen, Swindon Wildlife Officer, on
exists. level of protection which is in turn tance to this project. 526228.