Page 8 - link magazine

Community News
The people have their say on Lydiard’s future

House open again
After a three
month winter
closure Lydiard
House reopened
on 19 March with
a new exhibition
telling the story
of the impact of two world wars on
the St John family and the Lydiard
estate – the people who stayed
behind and those who left to fight,
including, pictured, Vernon Henry
St John. Image: Lydiard House
Archives.
The house is open daily, apart
from Mondays and Tuesdays, from
11am to 4pm.
The house is also running a special
Kids for a Quid offer for the Easter
holidays from Friday 25 March to
Sunday 10 April.
See more information at:
An aerial shot of Lydiard House taken from a drone. www.lydiardpark.org.uk
Ever since Swindon Borough Council and using the playground and the
announced the running of Lydiard Jungle Parc, as well as watching
House and Park would be put out to wildlife, attending church, walking, Age range
tender the people of the town have running, picnics, cycling and even
been making themselves heard. for simple relaxation.
This was definitely the case with a Each respondent was given the
survey carried out in The Link over chance to outline what they believe
the past few weeks with 340 people would be the best way of ensuring
making their voices heard. the site’s financial viability in the
According to the results the future.
majority would be willing to pay for A newly formed charitable trust
car parking but would be against has been formed by the Friends of
a hotel on the heritage site. The Lydiard Park and other community
survey was carried out in The Link’s groups called Lydiard Park Heritage
February magazine and people were Trust to put in a bid to run the site.
asked how they use Lydiard and Mike Bowden, chair of Friends of The Link survey results
what it’s possible future could be. Lydiard Park, said: “I am delighted to
Organisations have from now until say that we are now creating a not should be no more than £1 an hour
May to put in a bid with the council for profit charitable trust that will l Out of the 340 respondents, and preferably 50p an hour.
due to decide in June. The running put in a bid to look after, cherish 90% of whom were over the age of
of the park will be taken over in and preserve Lydiard House and 30, 43% visit the park at least once l Half of the people surveyed
September. Park. a week, with 26% visiting once a would support an increased entry
The respondents use the park and “We will work hard to put together month, 20% a few times a year and price for the house and walled
house for a variety of reasons from the best possible bid and we believe 11% at least once a year. garden but 88% of people would
be against paying an entry price for
going to the cafe, visiting the walled that in a fair world we will win the l The majority of people, 66%,
garden and house to dog walking day.” travel to Lydiard Park by car with the entire park.
only 23% on foot and 4% by bicy- l An overwhelming 63% of
A sample of people’s comments: cle amd another 4% get there by a people are against the creation of
a hotel on the site with only 26%
mix of the three.
l Despite the opinion of most, I development within the park as I l People would like to see more in favour.
agree with the council that Lydiard would think the attraction of the concerts, shows and festivals at the l Most people would like some
is not financially viable as it is cur- park for many visitors is that it is site, as well as farmers markets, kind of attraction at the site like a
rently managed. It needs to go the currently relatively unspoilt and craft fayres, charity walks and runs, petting zoo or a maze at 70%, 87%
way of other manor houses and ei- underdeveloped. and more family friendly events. would like the catering facilities
ther get support from The National l Move the registry office to the l As far as car parking is con- improved and 66% would like to
Trust or become a full-blown tourist house to provide a more attrac- cerned 64% of people would sup- see improvements to the confer-
attraction. tive setting with good parking for port the introduction of car parking ence centre.
l I’ve been questioning for years wedding guests and with on-site charges with 29% strongly in l Half of the people surveyed
why there’s not a signpost for reception facilities. favour. That leaves 31% of people would be against the introduction
Lydiard on the motorway. Bowood, l A good quality restaurant as well against the introduction with 19% of a camping and caravan facilities
Beale Park and others all have mo- as a Costa Coffee with an under- of people strongly against such a at the site
torway signage. Why not Lydiard? cover soft play area for younger proposal. l 98% of people believe there
l I think careful consideration children. The coffee shop should l When asked about car parking should definitely be more large
needs to be given to any kind of include undercover outside seating. pricing 90% of people believed it scale events at the park.
8 swindonlink.com n April 2016