Page 20 - link magazine

American visitors connect with their Swindon roots

Celebrations for the 400th
anniversary of the St John polyptych
in St Mary’s Church, Lydiard Park
continued in October with a family
reunion the like of which has never
been seen before at Lydiard House,
writes Fran Bevan.
Forty two American descendents
of the St John family gathered at
the Palladian mansion by invitation
of Palmer Hamilton, a lawyer from
Mobile, Alabama and Prior of the
United States Order of St. John.
He can trace his ancestry
back through the Tucker family,
who founded Bermuda, to Sir
Richard St George, the uncle of
Sir John St John, 1st Baronet
who commissioned the St John
polyptych, installed in the church on
20 July 1615.
Referring to his visit to Lydiard
last year Palmer said: “I travelled
to Swindon with my daughter and
we were so well received by the Descendant Palmer Hamilton with the polyptych at St Mary’s Church in Lydiard Park
Friends of Lydiard Park and the
congregation of St Mary’s. I said I to the gasps of the American visitors about the link between the St John Lydiard Park.
would organise an event for family and described how Justin Welby, family and the Royal House of This is the third visit Palmer has
members to learn more about our Archbishop of Canterbury, tweeted Tudor. made to the St John ancestral
connection with Lydiard Park at the after his visit to Lydiard in 2014: “I Speakers included Canon Brian home. He said: “We’ve always
source.” am enchanted at St Mary’s.” Carne who talked about his known about Lydiard Park as the
Paul Gardner, chair of St Mary’s The packed day of events included fascination with the polyptych and St John family country residence;
Building and Conservation Appeal, tours of Lydiard House, the walled his detailed research over 50 years. coming here in 2009 was like a
opened the multi panelled memorial garden and church, as well as talks Peter O’Donoghue, York Herald, pilgrimage. Up to now we’ve been
talked about the St George dynasty coming down [from London] for the

West Swindon and Lydiard Tregoze of Heralds, in particular Sir Richard day. On the next occasion I’d like
to stay in the area because of the
St George who married Elizabeth
Church Partnership St John and was responsible for welcome we are always given.”
compiling the St John genealogy on Fundraising for essential
Please join us in worship on Sunday mornings the outer panels of the memorial. conservation of St Mary’s continues
Westlea Church, Westlea School: 10am Palmer said: “The talks have and more than £186,000 has now
St Mary’s Lydiard Tregoze been so well done, we’ve all learnt been secured. This includes all
so much or seen our existing
the funds required for the urgent
- the church in the park: 10am knowledge reinforced. Over the conservation work on the 18th
Holy Trinity, Shaw: 10.30am years I’ve written hundreds of Century Reredos which begins in
Toothill Church: 10.30am pages about the family tree but early November.
The refined and refocused bid
For details of these and our other services listening to descriptions about the of about £790,000 for the larger
family from others always provides
call the Partnership Office on 01793 874221 fascinating insights.” conservation project was submitted
Email: [email protected] Website: WSwinlyd.org.uk A Choral Evensong at St Mary’s to the Heritage Lottery Fund in
Anglican • Baptist • Methodist • United Reformed Church was followed by a reception in August, with a decision expected in
the house hosted by the Friends of December.

St. John’s Haydon Wick

On Thames Avenue
next door to
Morrisons
Contact:
Revd Raymond Adams
Tel: 634258
Sunday 9am Traditional communion service
Services 11am Eventful, contemporary worship
with children’s groups meeting
www.stjohnshaydonwick.org.uk

Open to all, serving tea, coffee, cakes & light lunches
Fridays and Saturdays: 10am - 2pm
20 swindonlink.com n November 2015