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THE LINK MAGAZINE'S GUIDE TO WHAT'S ON IN AND AROUND SWINDON
OPEN

Completing the job at Lydiard at

Over sixty years ago Swindon Corporation's town clerk David Murray John made a typically incisive move
and bought Lydiard House and park from the St John family. ASDA
His decision to make the estate today he would be very pleased to Having been rescued following
a jewel in Swindon's crown was know of the work to turn the der- intensive negotiation with English West Swindon
celebrated at a reception hosted elict house into an important at- Heritage and RWE Innogy, the
by the chairman of English Herit- traction; he would be impressed by project was delayed in November
age Sir Neil Cossons and the Mayor the plans to enhance the park." because the Heritage Lottery Fund VACANCIES
of Swindon on 1 December. The Mayorthanked English Her- asked for a reduction in the finan-
The event also looked forward itage and the Countryside Agency cial proposals.
to the £5 million proposal to re- for their involvement in the project However the Lottery announced Full and part time
store the park with a bid to the and also Swindon based energy on 10 December that £430,000 staff required
Heritage Lottery Fund. company RWE Innogy for their was being awarded to the Lydiard
Sir Neil who. forty years ago, major financial commitment. restoration project to pay for de-
worked in Swindon as an assistant Denys Hodson, who was ap- tailed design work. This will open If you are interested
curatoratthe railway museum, said pointed by DMJ as the director of the door for a second stage grant please contact
he remembered David Murray John Arts and Recreation for Swindon application of around £3 million to June Willson on
as a man of vision. When the Corporation before it became pay for the work to be done. This
nation's time. money and energy Thamesdown in 1974 and given will include rebuilding the dam, 01793 643945
was focussed on winning a war, responsibility for the Lydiard es- dredging the lakes and reinstating
David Murray John recognised that tate, paid tribute to him. "When the 18th Century gardens.
a decaying ruin beyond the borough appointed David Murray John was
boundaries would one day have the youngest town clerk of any
considerable value for Swindon. local authority in the country. He
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DMJ looks down on the VIP line up at Lydiard. the Lord Lieutenant of
Wiltshire Sir Maurice Johnston. Denys Hodson. Sarah Finch-Crisp, the
Mayor of Swindon coun Derek Ben field, chairman of English Heritage Sir
Neil Cossons
"It's i mpossible to put a price tag was a wonderful man to work for,
on the historical significance of the he could instantly produce a solu-
decision to acquire Lydiard all those ti on for any problem you took to
years ago, but English Heritage is him. He did not know the meaning
now delighted to be a partner with of personal vanity, but his commit-
Swindon Borough Council in the ment and vision for Swindon knew
project to develop the park for the no bounds."
future." Mr Hodson is again involved with
The Mayor coun Derek Benfield Lydiard as a member of the project
said he was an eleven year old board, set up in the summer to take
when the park was bought by Swin- an oversight of the restoration
don Corporation. "Little did I know project which was nearly cancelled
the magnitude of David Murray by the incoming Conservative
John's decision. If he were with us council administration.