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Community News

Place your trust in us: heritage group takes on Lydiard House

A new chapter has begun in the
history of the Lydiard Park estate
- following Swindon Borough
Council’s decision to hand over its
running to the Lydiard Park Heritage
Trust.
The decision, which was officially
confirmed at the council’s cabinet
meeting on March 15, sets in
motion a handover timetable which
will see the trust ratify employment
arrangements with staff working in
the park and house and conduct a
comprehensive property survey by
the start of April.
Chairman of the trust, Mike
Bowden said: “We are delighted to
have been chosen as the council’s
preferred bidder. There was a tidal
wave of people who did not want
it to fall into private hands and
become a commercial project. And
the heritage component of our bid
reflected local people’s desire to see
this asset preserved. Future vision: Kevin Fisher, Sarah Finch-Crisp and Mike Bowden
He added: “I can assure both the
council and the local people that Fellow trust member Sarah Finch- make it such a fantastic asset. We threaten to undermine the beauty
the hard work of all our trustees Crisp explained that a great benefit plan to sensitively build on and of the estate: “Lydiard continues
will continue, complacency will not of the trust model is that it will enhance those qualities rather to face external threats and we
be an issue. We have never seen allow a total focus on Lydiard Park than making any great changes. anticipate further applications for
the process in party political terms and Gardens whereas at present We’re taking a steady as she goes planning consent that would have
and we have to thank members it is forced to compete with other approach.” a detrimental impact on the house,
of all parties for their support and council priorities. She explained that the trust will park and St Mary’s Church. We will
contributions. The preservation “It means that we will now be be working to build on commercial continue to offer leadership and
of Swindon’s rich heritage is so allowed to ring fence the money opportunities at the park and house, coordinate well informed objections
important and I hope we have that we generate from parking for including conference facilities and to any such proposed development.”
persuaded many that a well the use of the estate.” hosting wedding celebrations, For further information about the
organised charitable trust may be a She added: “We are aware that Trustee Kevin Fisher added that work of the Lydiard Park Heritage
useful template for other heritage the vast majority would like to see the trust will continue to guard Trust log on to
challenges in the town.” Lydard retain the qualities that against planning applications that www.lydiardtrust.org.uk
Tree cheers for ancient park

An ancient and historically He explained that the Lydiard
important walnut tree at Lydiard team wanted to replace the tree
Park, destroyed by high winds three but had to carefully consider the
years ago, will live on thanks to context of how it would be placed
the efforts of keen gardener Mike in the landscape. The team looked
Critchley. at ways to continue the Walnut
The former Ray Chem plant line through propagation but sadly,
engineer explained that he had although there had been some
collected a walnut from the regrowth, the long term prospects
300-year-old tree when he was for its survival were not looking
walking through the park with his good.
young son a number of years ago. However Mike Critchley got in
He planted the walnut seeds in touch, having heard about the
pots and they grew so vigorously dilemma and offered a replacement
that he was then able to transfer tree.
them to his back garden where they Stuart Webb, Estate and Parkland
developed into saplings. manager said “We are indebted
Estate and properties manager to Mike, and his son of course, for
Stuart Webb explained: “The their generosity and horticultural
original walnut tree was thought prowess. We hope that in the year
to have been the fifth largest in 2217, we will be interviewing their
the country. It was also important descendants to reflect on this
because it would have been planted amazing story and on the family's
as part of the overall scheme for lasting connection with Lydiard
the garden when it was created.” Park.” From left, Mike Critchlery, Mark Eborn, Andy Dyer and Ellie Kerrigan

8 swindonlink.com n April 2017

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