Page 31 - link magazine

SwirdGr Wide 31

Practical work starts in earnest on Lydiard Park project

Sarah Finch-Crisp, Keeper of Lydiard House, gives an update on the major programme to investigate and uncover the
history of Lydiard and describes the opportunities for people to take part in the process
In December 2003 Heritage Lot- Wiltshire Wildlife Trust have
tery Fund awarded Swindon Bor- joined the Lydiard Park Project to
ough Council £430,000 to under- work with the local community to
take vital development work to sup- create a map of all the parks habi-
port the restoration of Lydiard Park. tats, its fauna and flora and pro-
As visitors to the park can see tected species. If bat roosts. bugs,
today, work has begun which re- badger sets and newts tickle your
veals the elegantly designed land- fancy, why not join the search?
scape of former times. To become involved in the sur-
In February Swindon Services vey contact Neil Pullen at Wiltshire
started the project works by re- Wildlife Trust on 526228, mail:
moving scrub and dead trees from [email protected]
the area around the great castel-
th
lated dam, including the 18 Cen- Events in April
tury boat house. A sunken path,
once lined with yew trees and run- From 3 April
ning down towards the lake, can Lydiard Park 60th Anniversary
now be clearly seen and steps to Exhibition in the Visitor Centre
the boat house are also visible. celebrating Swindon Corpora-
Workmen from Swindon Services getting to grips with years of overgrowth
The ruinous great wall has been tion's historic purchase of
around the ruined dam at the eastern end of the lakes at Lydiard Park
fenced off as a safety precaution Lydiard Park in 1943.
but visitors to the park can view it idea of trowels and wheelbarrows, wide range of finds. 1 4 April. 10am-4pm
from the regular footpath. there will be finds to wash and sort For details and to register your Archaeology Open Day. Meet
which can be done sitting down. interest, call Margaret Bunyard at the archaeologists at work and
Time to dig Would your club or society enjoy Wessex Archaeology on 01722 explore the site's hidden
If you would like to join the restora- taking part? You can make a book- 343414 or mail: m.bunyard@ landscape.
ti on and have always wanted to be ing for a group of your members to wessexarch.co.uk 24 April, 11 am and 2pm
an archaeologist, now is your come along for a tour and a talk, or Grand Dam Tours. Explore the
chance to have a go with help from to roll up their sleeves and join in. Explore the natural ruinous dam wall with the
a team from Wessex Archaeology. Teachers. Would you like an ar- environment of the park project buildings' archaeologist.
You do not need to have been on a chaeologistto visit your school and Whilst Lydiard Park is of great his-
Places should be booked in
dig before as there will be plenty of talk to your pupils about the work torical significance, it is also a fas-
advance by calling 770401.
help and instruction from team they are doing at Lydiard? Pupils cinating ecological environment.
members. If you don't fancy the will also get the chance to handle a
Lottery funds available
for more projects

The Heritage Lottery Fund south west regional office in Exeter which
covers Cornwall, Devon. Dorset, Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wilt-
shire is keen to hear of more projects that would benefit from grants.
Few proposals seeking support grants of between £500 and £5,000
are the size of the Lydiard Park and has a simple application proc-
regeneration scheme. South West ess. A project example might be The smash hit comedy about how
y
children c tian,3P our life foreuer
HLF regional manager Nerys Watts helping a local history society cata-
says the fund has a much wider logue and display a collection of Starring Sarah White (Brookside). Rebecca Wheatley (Casualty),
remit than big projects. "Heritage local interest photographs and Kim Hartman (`Allo'Alto), Maureen Nolan (The Nolans),
is the story of who we are: it covers negatives. Polly Highton (Brookside) and Julie T Wallace (Life and Loves of a She-Devil)
museums, archives, people's • Your Heritage gives grants up to 'This show should be sponsored by the NHS' Mail On Sunday
memories, industrial heritage, natu- £50,000. such as history projects 'Roars of delighted recognition' The Times
ral heritage, parks. coastlines, as
collecting personal audio and visual
well as listed buildings and high
history covering whole communi-
profile structures,
ties.
"It's about understanding the
Young Roots grants up to
past, why it's important and rel-
£25,000 for projects involving
evant,whywe'vebecomewhatwe
young people in community based
are today and how the character of
the UK has been formed. But it's projects. a rr +
also about getting people to appre- • Heritage Grants for amounts
ciate that heritage can often be over £50,000 like Lydiard Park or
beautiful. Going for a walk in the the National Maritime Museum
countryside or along the coastline Cornwall.
you can see many amazing and StaffattheExeterofficeareavail- Mon 31 May - Sun 6 June • Tickets: £14.50; £16.50
spectacular sights. Heritage able to discuss ideas which might
doesn't have to be dry and dusty. It eventually be funded and the ap-
can be fun and interesting. plication process. Call 01 392 WYVERN - THEATRE
223950. THEATRE SQUARE, SWINDON
The grant giving schemes are: Swmuon
The information is also available
• Awards for All which makes from: www.hlf.org.uk Box OFFICE: (01793) 524481