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Swindon Wide
Lydiard walled garden opens 18 May
MAY
AMETHYST MADNESS! For the first time in decades, the 18th Century walled garden at Lydiard
Park will be revealed again in its historical form, restored to its former
FREE glory, complete with well, flowers elegantly displayed with colour,
HAIR & BEAUTY BLOWDRY texture and smell from beautiful tulips, lilies and bedding plants.
The planting plans are based on worked alongside Lydiard’s gar-
with every archaeological excavations and dening team, supported by hun-
NEW! NEW! ★ Weddings/Proms colour historical research. Letters written dreds of volunteers, including em-
in the 1660s by Lady Johanna St
NOW ★ Facials/Pedicures John reveal her love of plants and ployees from local businesses.
The project is part of the £5
OFFERING there are illustrations on the 17th million Lydiard Park restoration
TEETH ★ Fake Bake Tanning Century painted glass window in which is nearing completion.
WHITENING ★ Human Hair Extensions the house, as well as the beautiful The garden will open from Tues-
floral panels painted by the society day to Sunday, and Bank Holiday
73 Basepoint, Rivermead Drive, West Swindon artist and beauty, Lady Diana Spen- Mondays, 11am to 5pm. House
Telephone: 01793 602446 cer in the 1760s. admission tickets will include the
www.amethysthairandbeauty.co.uk The restoration has provided garden. Parking and entry to the
around 200 days of horticultural grounds and play area is free.
training to young people who have www.lydiardpark.org.uk

The centre piece of the walled garden is a replica of the original 18th Century
sundial. Members of the Upper Thames National Association of Decorative
and Fine Arts Societies (NADFAS), have paid for the restoration of the
original dial, engraved with the coat of arms of Henry 1st Viscount St John,
Michael Jackson The Tribute which is displayed inside Lydiard House and for the replica. They are
pictured checking its time keeping with David Sutcliffe of Nimbus Conserva-
th
Friday 18 May tion and Sarah Finch-Crisp, keeper of the house, right
Combined with a spectacular Garden to be a point of calm for parents
dance performance, including
The discovery of a water well during archaeological surveys before the
all the signature moves – garden restoration started has led to a profound link with Swindon based
Ben’s tribute is the closest you Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Movement (CALM), which is run by
can come to experiencing a the parents of children who have suffered from childhood cancers.
live Michael Jackson show. For years CALM members have “It will be more than just a me-
longed for a place to remember morial garden. The well will be a
Includes a 4 course dinner followed those children who have lost their place to give comfort and hope to
by Skywalkers Disco until 1am. Tickets £34 per person
lives to the illness. At Lydiard they those who know children who are
believe they’ve found the answer. going through treatment at the
Parent Jo Telling said, “for those moment.
“Mid Summer who have sadly lost a child to leu- “With its wide open spaces, and
Nights Death” kaemia or cancer, the walled gar- play areas, Lydiard Park, is a great
place for children to unwind in be-
den is the perfect place to go for
quiet reflection and to remember tween intensive chemotherapy and
Thursday 21st June
their loved ones. radiotherapy treatment.”
in Nichols Restaurant
Includes a 4 course dinner Duck race to contribute to well project
£35 per person Thousands of tiny plastic ducks will race along the River Ray at Wootton
Bassett Road in aid of CALM on Bank Holiday Monday 28 May.
Race organisers Swindon Old Town Rotary Club have pledged
£10,000 towards CALM’s work and to help with the well restoration.
Ducks £1 each from a number of retail centres such as Asda
Walmart and on the day. First prize £1,000 with further prizes of £300,
£100 and £50.Businesses can buy drakes for £50, with the winning
company receiving a large engraved cut glass bowl.
Car boot sale at 10am. Stalls and attractions from 12noon. Drake
Race 3pm and duck race 4pm. To book a boot or stall, call Chris Firth
on 521464 or 07801 548154.
www.blunsdonhouse.co.uk

21 May 07 22 19/4/07, 1:33 pm