Page 40 - link magazine

40 swindonlink.com • February 2008

KUDOS FENCING SUPPLIES LTD. D.A. Success for Lydiard Park’s
DRIVEWAYS unique apprentices
To
Kudos Purton
From
M4 J16 & & PATIOS LTD
To Brinkworth West Ellie Machin and Claire Fisher, gardening apprentices at Lydiard Park,
Wootton Swindon
Bassett ..........
❐ Block Paving had a great Christmas, after being told they had both passed their NVQ
❐ Landscaping ❐ Fencing Level 2 in Amenity Horticulture.
..........
...... .... On 6 February Ellie, who lives in gardener, and from the course at
❐ Decorative Stone Old Shaw Lane, and Claire, from Reaseheath which is very intense.
❐ General Maintenance Oakhurst, will mark their second Claire said they both enjoy con-
.....
For a professional and year on the full time apprentice- tact with the public in the park and
.....
● All fencing ● Gates ● Chain link affordable service, ship programme run by Swindon in the walled garden. “We really like
Council, supported by the Heritage passing on what we’ve learnt to the
● Trellis ● Decking ● Tools ● Fixings free consultation and Lottery Fund and English Heritage, visitors. A lot of people are surprised
● Cement ● Trade & DIY welcome written quotation linked to the Lydiard Park Project when we talk about plants or propa-
Tel: 01793 855800 Tel: 01793 878062 to restore the historic landscape of gation techniques. They often go off
Unit 23 & 24 Oaklands Enterprises this park. to Roger to check and he usually
Ind. Est. Braydon, Swindon or 07866 523898 The training has been developed confi rms what we’ve said.
in response to the national skill Sarah Finch-Crisp, Keeper of
shortage in restoration, conserva- Lydiard House & Park, congratu-
tion and management of historic lated the pair. “Claire and Ellie have
LYDIARD LANDSCAPES gardens and the improvement played a key role in the restoration
LTD Est. 1987 and understanding of the historic of the walled garden to ensure that
environment. it develops as a place of beauty,
interest, information and
Patios, Block Paving, Walling, Fencing, enjoyment.
“At Reaseheath they
Close Board, Gates, Decking, Tree Work, Turfi ng, receive specialist training
Building and Property Developing. focussed on the care and
Portfolio and Client Testimonials Available restoration of historic
gardens and planting, in-
Offi ce/Fax: 01793 827117 cluding historic methods
Mobile: 07790 922081 and species and cultivars
rarely used in modern
Free estimates Fully insured amenity horticulture.
Director: Nicholas Garner “Lydiard Park is very
unusual in that it is able
to provide places for two
garden apprentices; we
will be recruiting more
to take up this training
and career opportunity
in due course.”
Ellie and Claire in the Lydiard walled garden
In the long term Claire
Ellie and Claire have now em- hopes to gain experience in an exotic
barked on their NVQ Level 3 to garden and perhaps work abroad to
SALE
assist the Lydiard head gardener study the effects of climate change
EXTENDED 18th Century ornamental fruit and ganic vegetable production because
in restoring and maintaining the on plant life.
Ellie sees herself eventually in or-
INTO FEBRUARY
fl ower walled garden to the high-
est horticultural and conservation of the importance of preserving
different plant varieties.
management standards.
The council has set up a unique
Charity needs
partnership with the National Trust
so that on-the-job training is com-
plimented by study at the Trust’s daffodil collectors
Reaseheath College in Cheshire. Marie Curie Cancer Care is
Claire, 21, said her interest in looking for people who can
plants started from her Saturday help make this 60th year their
garden centre job when she was at biggest fundraising effort.
school. She began an apprenticeship They need supporters to take
in horticulture at Lackham College a box of daffodil pins into their
but found the travelling from Swin- workplace, community group, or
don too great. “I was really pleased other setting, and ‘sell’ them dur-
when I heard about the position at ing February and March.
Lydiard. I was able to transfer my Each box contains around 50
NVQ work to Reaseheath.” daffodil pins each of which are
Ellie, also 21, left Bradon Forest in ‘sold’ for a suggested donation
2003 and started a fl oristry course of £1. And every donation made
at Swindon College but found her for a daffodil means more expert
interest in growing plants. She free home nursing care.
started a landscaping course before To help call Clair Cusack on
learning of the Lydiard opportunity. 0117 9247275 or mail: clair.cu-
“We’ve both found working at Lyd- [email protected]
iard really great. We’re learning so www.mariecurie.org.uk
much from Roger Jacob, the head

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