Page 4 - link magazine

Friends call on Swindon Council to honour Lydiard Park promises

Swindon Borough Council will be events field for commercial activities
appointing marketing experts to and puts on attractions in front of
look for organisations interested in the house.
running Lydiard Park so that it can Cabinet member Cllr Garry Perkins
reduce the council’s annual £450,000 said: “Lydiard is one of Swindon’s
subsidy. jewels and we want to keep it that
But the chair of the Friends of way, but our financial position
Lydiard Park says promises made at dictates that we have to reduce the
a full council meeting in April 2014 park’s current subsidy.
about the future of Lydiard Park have “If we are going to do that, we
been broken. need to make more use of the park
Exploring commercial opportunities from a commercial point of view and
for Lydiard Park is part of the we need to find out from the market
council’s Leisure and Culture what opportunities exist.
Commissioning Change Programme, “This isn’t about transferring
which has seen the borough’s leisure ownership of the park or selling
and golf facilities being leased to it off. We want to look after what
commercially driven organisations. we’ve got and enhance it for the
Parts of Lydiard Park are already people who use it and love it.
leased to tenants. Jungle Parc uses “We got a fantastic response when
an area close to the visitor centre we undertook a similar exercise with
for a tree top adventure facility our leisure facilities and I’m sure we
and the conference centre with will receive a number of exciting
accommodation next to Lydiard proposals for Lydiard.”
House has been leased to external However the Friends of Lydiard Park Trustees of the Friends of Lydiard Park, concerned for the future,
providers for many years. which has been an advocate and from left, Anthony St John, Sarah Finch-Crisp, Sonia St John,
But, as reported in the October advisory body for the house and park Julie Holland, Mike Bowden
Link, current tenants Chartridge have for the last 60 years, are concerned
not had their tenancy renewed and that the people of Swindon are number of times since the council will remain within the council’s
have bought nearby Marsh Farm going to be marginalised by a market meeting in April 2014 requesting ownership, Mr Bowden is concerned
Hotel in Royal Wootton Bassett to testing exercise. details of the promised review. that a long term lease to an external
continue their business. Friends chairperson Mike Bowden, “I’ve had two responses saying the body could have a significant impact
The council also hires out the said: “I’ve written to Cllr Perkins a
relevant officers were tied up with upon the heritage aspects of the site.
the leasing of leisure centres and He said: “Councillors are well
golf facilities. The notion that the aware that the park was restored
arrangements for Swindon’s leisure with a £5 million Heritage Lottery
facilities will form a template for Fund Project with commitments
Lydiard House and Park fills me with made by the council to protect and
alarm. preserve the historic landscape.
“I was flabbergasted in September “It’s also important to recall that
to be given less than two hours the council leader gave an assurance
notice that a market testing exercise in April last year that his intention
6 Star Service from was being launched. It made me was to retain Lydiard House, its
Trevor Salter very angry that the assurances museum collection and Lydiard Park
the Friends and other stakeholders as an integrated heritage asset for
✰ View and select in your own had been given that they would be the people of Swindon.
home - day or evening involved in a review about the future “The Friends of Lydiard Park
✰ Free no obligation have just been swept out of the way have always wanted to engage in
measuring and quoting as if they don’t matter. constructive, polite and helpful
“It seems to me that the council is dialogue with the council about the
✰ Luxury underlay, all saying: ‘we don’t have any real ideas future of this important asset - but
accessories and installation of what we want to do, we have no a consultation after the decision has
included in the price! vision, we’re not offering leadership, been made is no consultation at all.
✰ Competitive prices: we’re going out to the private “It is both rude and disrespectful
Our customers tell us so See the carpet or floor covering of sector with a blank piece of paper and the people of Swindon deserve
✰ Old carpets lifted and your choice, where it will be enjoyed, asking for ideas for the use of this better, notwithstanding the financial
removed next to your other furnishings, important heritage asset to find out difficulties the council has.”
Cllr Perkins and the leader of the
✰ Furniture moved and receive the benefit of 35 years what suggestions they might have to council Cllr David Renard have been
exploit the house and park.’
as required of experience in Swindon
“The absence of leadership is invited to attend the next Friends
No hidden extras; no obligation - just great service worrying but a proper and inclusive trustee meeting in November.
Challenge me to beat your existing quotes. consultation with stakeholders • Swindon Borough Council
You will be pleasantly surprised would lead to a more considered paid consultants to examine
approach.” the commercial and community
Call Trevor: The council has listed the house development potential of Lydiard
01793 812995 or 07860 882588 and park as an Asset of Community Park in 2010 after the success of
the BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend.
Value to limit the potential for sale,
or email: [email protected]
www.carpetsswindon.co.uk though this does not rule out this The report was never published but
possibility. Although Lydiard Park The Link has requested a copy.
4 swindonlink.com n November 2015