Council Meeting - Thursday, 12 November 7 pm.

November 9, 2015, 1:19 pm

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Council Meeting

Here is an important notice concerning the future of Lydiard House and Park, and Swindon's other country parks.

This is an open meeting - you can attend!

Council Chamber,

Civic Offices

Thursday, 12 November 7 pm

7b Motion – Lydiard Park

Councillor Jim Robbins will move and Councillor Kevin Small will second:

“This Council:

· Is concerned about the Cabinet Member for Culture’s recent announcement that the Cabinet are looking at transferring Lydiard Park and potentially Swindon’s other country parks to a private company.
· Believes the Council should retain overall control and continue to run its local country parks, including Lydiard Park. Furthermore Council believe that there are ways the Council can generate more income from our country parks without having to transfer them to a private company.
· Request the suspension of all current actions being taken to explore organisations that can take the running of Swindon’s country parks and requests that the Cabinet Member for the Economy, Regeneration and Skills brings a report to Cabinet detailing how the Council can generate more income from its country parks in order to mitigate the Council’s future budgetary challenges.”

Director of Law and Democratic Services

Questions by Members of the Public in accordance with Standing Order 11

Swindon Borough Council remains committed to increasing its accountability to the public and to promoting active citizenship.

15 minutes will be allowed at the start of all Council meetings for questions to the Chair from the public about the work of the Committee (except for confidential matters, and matters relating to planning and licensing applications).

We will give priority to those who submit questions in writing at least two days before the meeting.

Questions must be relevant, clear, and concise. You may not use Public Question Time as an opportunity to make speeches or statements.

Questions in writing should be sent to the Committee Officer whose contact details appear on the agenda above or to the Director of Law and Democratic Services, we will publish it, along with the answer, alongside the Minutes. The process associated with asking a public question is set out in the “Public Question Time at Council Meetings Protocol and Guidance” available on the Council’s Website (http://ww5.swindon.gov.uk/moderngov/ecCatDisplay.aspx?sch=doc&cat=13338&pat h=0) or from the Committee Officer named above.

Swindon Borough Council website

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Swindon Heritage Strategy document

November 10, 2015, 2:32 am

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Ahead of the Council Meeting on Thursday, November 12 and the motion Cllr Jim Robbins is due to propose, I have been re-reading the Swindon Heritage Strategy produced by Swindon Borough Council in 2013.

It's a brave document, in fact there is a whole section on bravery (page 13) and working together and trusting one another.

There is also a paragraph (page 16) all about Lydiard House and Park and the investments made which have led to increased numbers of visitors and earned income potential.

On page 7 under the heading 'Vision' there is a bullet point that reads:

Develop partnerships between voluntary, public and business sectors to develop the action plan.

But it doesn't say anything about giving prospective business partners a 21 year lease and losing control of what goes on at our Council owned heritage sites, which of course, belong to the people of Swindon.

The Swindon Heritage Strategy is a very cleverly worded document, and it says a lot of things we all wanted to hear; it appeared to offer protection for our heritage sites.

I'd now like those who were concerned in the compilation of the Heritage Strategy to re-examine what they wrote in 2013 and I ask is this rushed proposal to lease off Lydiard House and Park true to the spirit of the Heritage Strategy?

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Is democracy dead in this country?

November 13, 2015, 5:11 am

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Is democracy dead in this country? If you were at last night's Council Meeting at the Civic Offices you could be forgiven for thinking it is in Swindon.

Personally, I am governed by a political party I didn't vote for at either national or local level, but hey ho, I suppose this is a drawback of the democratic process.

But do these people I didn't vote for have carte blanche to impose upon me decisions with which I seriously disagree. Is there no room for appeal or debate, even compromise?

Well at local level apparently not.

Swindon Borough Council is hell bent on leasing out Lydiard House and Park with the matter of the Council subsidy of £450,000 constantly quoted. Members protest that their aim is to reduce the council subsidy and, with the aid of a private sector partner or partners, generate new and sustainable forms of income.

A number of experts in the field believe that this is possible while keeping the Grade I Palladian mansion and Grade II listed parkland under continued local council ownership.

My argument is that SBC has not explored any alternatives, or if they have they are not making their findings public.

Please do not dismiss us in the arrogant, condescending 'we know better than you do' attitude we saw last night.

I am publishing, yet again, a growing list of ideas submitted by the people of Swindon - from the big ones to the little ones, because as we know - every little helps!

Lydiard House

Unique selling point – scandal

Tell the story of the St John family

The links with the Tudors (perennially popular with children and adults alike)

The Civil War story

The Royal favourites and mistresses

The cheating husbands and wives

Henry, 1^st Viscount St John - murderer

Henry, 1^st Viscount Bolingbroke – Queen Anne’s Secretary at War – traitor

Links with the modern Royal Family

Every period of history is accessible through the House and the St John family

Improve PR and marketing:

Ask the National Trust and Historic England (Head Offices in Swindon) to advise – there are teams available to do just this.

Work with St Mary’s Church who are doing a fantastic PR job with guided tours and talks – visitor numbers have increased.

Use local people to improve marketing and PR

Motorway sign – informs people on the lucrative, history rich, West Country heritage trail that we are here.

Explore avenues of grants and funding.
Negotiate contracts for services rather than lease to partners and lose control.
Have a look at other Council run properties and see how they are making a success of things e.g. Blaise Castle http://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/blaise-castle-house-museum/

Lydiard House:

Open the front door again – a frequent complaint is that visitors think the house is closed.

Introduce modern interactive displays.

Introduce audio tour.

The story of the St Johns/the House/the restoration etc - told on film. This could also be sold as a DVD in the gift shop and used in marketing and PR – see local firm SwindonWeb...

Exhibitions: The costumes from the hugely popular Wolf Hall series recently went on tour. Why didn’t they come to Lydiard House?

Art exhibitions – seldom seen paintings from Swindon’s Modern Art Collection.

Photographic exhibitions – from the Lydiard House archives; Swindon Museum; STEAM; Local Studies and local history groups such as The Swindon Society, Rodbourne Community History Group etc.
A great place to display our statue of Charlotte Corday, currently hidden away in the former Town Hall, Regent Circus.

Film nights: Interest appropriate e.g. Duchess – the story of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire (there is a link to Lydiard House); Jane Austen - Sense and Sensibility; Pride and Prejudice etc; TV blockbusters – Downtown Abbey, the White Queen, The Tudors, Wolf Hall – the list is endless.

Talks and book signings: The historical/romantic novel reading public is huge - invite authors to give talks and book signings; ask Philippa Gregory author of numerous books on the Tudors and the Cousins War - her White Queen series has direct links with the Beauchamp/Tudor and St John families (see St Mary’s Church)
A Regency Reading Group - From Jane Austen to Nicola Cornick - for anyone who loves Regency reads. Locally based Nicola might even join the group from time to time.
Bridge tournaments - in 2012 the Swindon Bridge Society raised £1,200 which they donated to Lydiard House.
Host interest appropriate TV programmes e.g. Antiques Roadshow, Flog It etc

Improve and develop the gift shop:

I recently accompanied a group of American visitors and they couldn’t find enough items to buy!

Sell a variety of souvenirs at both ends of the market – expensive items, e.g. porcelain to tie in with Frederick St John, 2^nd Viscount Bolingbroke and how he spent the family fortune – pocket money gifts, Lydiard House fridge magnets, Lydiard House bookmarks etc

Sell items associated with the modern Royal Family – books, images of Diana, Princess of Wales – link with Lady Diana Spencer who became Viscountess Bolingbroke; Duke and Duchess of Cambridge; the love story, the wedding; Prince George and Princess Charlotte. William and Kate mugs, Lydiard House mugs.

Sell books by historical novelists such as Philippa Gregory and others

Sell DVDs

Seasonal activities:

Cream teas: - either on the front lawn or in the walled area between House and Church

Pony & trap ride around the Park’s restored home circuit and outer areas of the estate. To provide this investigate local farmers.

1940s re-enactors - there was an American/Prisoner of War Hospital at Lydiard Park. Recent Auto & Retro Festival was extremely successful but could have linked to the history of the House and brought in visitors.

Continue and expand Christmas activities in the House – e.g. carols, bell ringers etc

Mulled wine and mince pies in the Grand Hall.

Walled Garden

Art in the Garden – Sculpture, ceramics etc display by local artists.

Love Lydiard Craft Fayre – with costumed re-enactors – first event held 2015 was very successful – needs developing.

Guided walks and talks.

Classroom & stable block courtyard

Hands on experience of rural crafts – woodturning, lacemaking etc
Soft play area for pre-school children.

Conference Centre:

How can the Council use the Conference Centre if the Chartridge contract, now in abeyance, is unlikely to be renewed?

In the immediate future - behind the scenes tour: American visitors received a tour around the upper rooms and they were fascinated.

In the long term - restore upper storey rooms for viewing - recreate a kitchen and a nursery. Investigate the Avebury Manor (National Trust) model – see reviews on http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g186413-d2454273-Reviews-Avebury_Manor-Avebury_Wiltshire_England.html

Open a restaurant – a pre requisite for every stately home and historic attraction - how – consult thriving, local businesses.
Make the historic house and picturesque setting the Swindon wedding venue.

Residential photography and art courses. Art and heritage are a fabulous mix.

Introduce car parking charges – this may not be the most popular of suggestions but any new ‘partner' would suggest and implement this immediately.

Add a small charge to the Council Tax bill.

Lydiard - a House for All Seasons

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The Libertine - Movie Trailer

November 14, 2015, 12:52 am

≫ Next: John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester.

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At my recent talk 'Who Would Live in a House Like This?' I could only hint at the lifestyle choices of John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester. Watch the movie trailer for The Libertine, starring Johnny Depp - allow for some literary licence, although maybe not ...

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John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester.

November 14, 2015, 12:57 am

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John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester, died on July 26, 1680, aged 33 years old. It had been, how can I put it, an eventful life.

The son of Anne St John and her second husband Royalist hero Henry, Viscount Wilmot, John was a bit of an embarrassment to his mother.

It wasn't just the lewd poems or the bawdy plays, his dismissal from court or the drinking and whoring that upset her. It wasn't even the attempted abduction of his future, fabulously rich heiress, wife to be Elizabeth Malet that made her raise her eyebrows. Well actually it was, but what really upset her was that he wouldn't renounce all of the above on his death bed - and boy did she try hard to persuade him.

John was born at Ditchley, Oxfordshire and at the age of just 12 was sent to Wadham College, where it was said he 'grew debauched.' These things happen! Having picked up his MA three years later, John went off on the obligatory Grand Tour, which probably finished off the debauchery tuition.

Following the abduction attempt, John married Elizabeth Malet. The couple had four children - a son who died young and three daughters.

Elizabeth who married Edward Montague, 3rd Earl of Sandwich. Anne who married first Henry Bayntun and next Francis Greville and Malet who became the wife of John Vaughan, 1st Viscount Lisburne.

Back home in London John was the toast of the Restoration Court. He frequented the theatre, gave acting lessons to his mistress Elizabeth Barry and wrote a lot of very rude poetry.

But it was the death bed renunciation of his life long atheism that was the real best seller and remained in print for two hundred years - a cautionary tale for any young man about to embark upon a life of excess.

John died at his home in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, his body so ravaged by his lifestyle that it was unknown whether it was the effects of alcoholism or venereal disease that eventually killed him.

John's portrait, attributed to Peter Lely, hangs in the Dining Room at Lydiard House. Visit the Lydiard Park website on for details of opening times.

John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester

Anne St John, Countess of Rochester

Elizabeth Wilmot, Countess of Rochester

Lady Elizabeth Wilmot

Lady Anne Wilmot

Lady Malet Wilmot

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Let's big up the Tudor cousins at Lydiard House

November 15, 2015, 2:43 am

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Heiress Margaret Beauchamp, Henry VII's grandmother, owned Lydiard Park in 1420. Her daughter, Margaret Beaufort, Henry's mother, was very close to her St John half siblings, finding them places at court and arranging advantageous marriages for her extended family,

In August 1592 Elizabeth I called in at Lydiard House on her summer progress. She held a privy council meeting at the house and knighted her cousin of the half blood John St John during her stay.

So why aren't we bigging up the Tudor connections at Lydiard House?

Telegraph journalist Hannah Betts describes the enduring appeal of the Tudors in this entertaining article. Follow the link to read the full feature.

If history is reducible to one era for us Brits, it is the Tudor period. Even before the phenomenon that is Wolf Hall, our favourite version of Ye Olden Dayes was that with codpieces, ruffs, beheadings, and irascible redheads. Blame it on Shakespeare, blame it on 'Enery the Eighth, putting the serial killer into serial monogamy, blame it on Good Queen Bess making such a humdinging heroine - but a visiting alien could be forgiven for imagining that British history is the story of gingers acting up.

My love for those gingers is greater than most. The 1590s were the best years of my life, having spent my twenties studying and teaching Renaissance literature. Ask me the appeal of the period and I can give a clever answer about the affinity between premodern and postmodern cultures, the birth of nationhood, emergent literary identity, and our idea of the self. However, basically I just think it was brilliant.

Historian Ruth Goodman - adviser to the BBC for its acclaimed Wolf Hall, after 10 years in a similar role at the Globe - agrees. "The Tudor period seems larger than life: bright, colourful and exotically different, yet still our past. It moves between the strange and the familiar," she says. "It is also the moment when we as a nation were about to launch onto the world stage. It's an energetic time, a pregnant moment." Obligingly, in her new book 'How to be a Tudor: Dawn to Dusk Guide to Everyday Life, Goodman offers the definitive guide to living the Tudor dream - which is why my editor decided I should try it out...."

Let's have a Tudor themed day at Lydiard House and Park. Jousting on the front lawn, Tudor fast food for sale in the stable block, Tudor toys for the children to try, Tudor music in the walled garden. - I'll add that to the list!

Hannah Betts - Living the Tudor life

Mark Rylance as Thomas Cromwell in Wolf Hall

Wolf Hall trailer

Ruth Goodman (left) in Tudor Monastery Farm

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War time purchase of Lydiard House and Park

November 15, 2015, 5:39 am

≫ Next: The 1943 Report on Lydiard House

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The Swindon Advertiser published this enthusiastic report about the future of the newly acquired Lydiard House and Park on August 6, 1943.

In the middle of a war, Councillors were far sighted enough to see the potential of the House and Park, and with the help of Councillor F.E. Akers (after whom Akers Way is named) managed to purchase the property.

If only the present day SBC could see past the £450,000 subsidy and how by keeping the property in council hands it could earn them an income instead of leasing it out to private companies to reap the benefits.

Visit 'the list' for a few income generating ideas.

Lydiard Park Secured for Swindon People?

Future of a Grand Old English Home

It is reported that the beautiful and historic Lydiard Park, with its mansion, gardens, woodlands and lake, which for long years was the home of the Bolingbrokes, has been acquired by Swindon Corporation.

As reported last week, the estate was purchased by Councillor F.E. Akers at a cost, including the surrounding pasture lands and farm properties, of £14, 250.

Future Development

Councillor Akers told a North Wilts Herald and Advertiser reporter that it would have been a great pity had this glorious old English home passed into the hands of people who were not concerned aiwht the future development of the country surrounding Swindon. He agreed he had purchased the estate in the hope that it would be acquired by the Corporation and preserved for all time for the benefit of the community.

The Coporation were interested and had mentioned to him the figure they were prepared to pay for the estate, exclusive of the farms and pasture land. They did not, however, want the purely agricultural part of the estate: so he purchased the whole lot, intending, of course, to release the mansion and park lands to the Council at their own figure.

Yesterday it was reported that the deal would soon be an accomplished thing.

A Second Coate Water

The use to which the estate …

It is easy to discern many ideal purposes that the park might serve. It would, for instance, comparable in some respects to prove invaluable as an adult educational centre, and, with the increased travelling facilities to be expected after the war, it would command great popularity as a picnic centre, Coate Water.

An important reminder:-

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The 1943 Report on Lydiard House

November 16, 2015, 3:46 am

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The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings was founded in 1877 by arts and crafts mastermind William Morris and leading members of the Pre-Raphaelite brotherhood. The founding members were deeply concerned that well meaning architects were scraping away the historic fabric of too many buildings in the zealous 'restorations.'

By September 1943 Swindon Corporation had already called in architect John Eric Miers MacGregor, well known for his work in historic conservation and technical adviser to the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, to look at their most recent acquisition, Lydiard Park Mansion.

This is the report he delivered in which he also had a few ideas for the House and Park - some of his remarks are particularly pertinent to how the people of Swindon feel about the House and Park today.

The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings,

55 Great Ormond Street, Queen Square, W.C.1. (Holborn 2646)

To:- The Committee

The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings

Gentlemen,

Lydiard Park Mansion, Lydiard Tregoze.

This house stands in a commanding position in the Park and estate which has recently been purchased by the Swindon Corporation.

The Council have no definite use for the building, but propose to use the grounds for general recreational purposes.

The building backs on to a very beautiful church, and it is probable that a house stood there even before the church, although I did not notice any feature in the present structure dating from earlier than the sixteenth century.

On the top floor is a tablet stating that the house was rebuilt in 1743, when no doubt the older building was incorporated. The plan consists of a main block running north-west and south-east, with receding wings at either end, and a large kitchen extension to the North, as shown on the accompanying sketch plan.

Traces of pre-eighteenth century work are to be found in all three walls of the rear court and the portions of steep-pitched slate roofs over them. See photographs Nos. 1,3, 4 and 6. I believe that the bulk of the structure was in being before 1743, when the present façade was applied, and that the design worked out along the south-east face did not quite fit the south-west, thus accounting for the double angle of the West corner. (See plan as existing).

It appears that either during the eighteenth century rebuilding, or very shortly after, the design was altered internally and external. The corner towers do not seem quite happy, and are in face only stone-faced on the sides of the main façade, the return walls being of timber; (see photograph No. 1) also the timber framing of the main south-west roof runs through to the South corner, but appears never to have been completed.

Internally there is an appearance of later work in the detail of the staircase and library than in the remaining reception rooms, which accords with the position of the blocked doors. To this later date I also attribute the northern kitchen with extension.

A new entrance was found in the North West wall of the main block in the nineteenth century, when other works of inferior quality took place.

Aesthetically the appeal of the building centres on the eighteenth century work comprising the simple imposing south-west and north-west fronts and the magnificent suites of beautifully proportioned and appointed rooms behind them an impression of which can be grasped by a glance at the orderly arrangement of the plan. Not only is the detail of skirting, dado and cornice exceedingly lavish and good, but is of most excellent craftsmanship, which remains as perfect today as when executed. The ceilings also are very rich and fine plaster-work. Even the red plush-faced paper of the walls has stood the test of time remarkably well.

That a building so rich in charm and grace should in two generations have degenerated and disintegrated to this extent while Swindon nearby was enjoying unprecedented prosperity, is a reflection indeed upon the material lust of the industrial revolution of the last century.

The structure is in an exceedingly good state, and I was nowhere able to find signs of settlement or deterioration due to anything but sheer neglect. A relatively very small expenditure would have maintained the complete building.

The position of the building has luckily saved it from wilful damage by hooligans. Wet is penetrating in many places and dry rot is rampant in the west wing. There is, however, no doubt that the building presents a far more forlorn appearance than is actually the structural condition.

Practically all the roof timbers are of oak, which being mostly well exposed to free circulation of air are unaffected by penetrating damp. Only one of the magnificent ceilings of the ground floor has so far partially fallen, and most of the fragments of this have been collected and are suitable for re-erection. I have in fact no doubt that the building presents no serious problem other than finance, in its complete reinstatement.

The cultural value of association with such a house if properly looked after, is great; and seeing that the Council has acquired the Estate for public recreational purposes, this building appears to me to be exceedingly well adapted to form a semi-residential Youth Centre – that is a Centre where young people from Swindon could go for a couple of nights at the weekend and get health-giving recreation in the grounds and social intercourse, mental relaxation and cultural advancement indoors in the evenings and wet days.

I have therefore appended a very rough sketch plan indicating how well the building divides itself, giving a central lounge, dining rooms with cafeteria service, library, and two good recreation rooms in the fine architectural suite of the ground floor, with small boys’ and girls’ writing rooms at the extra ends.

The north-west kitchen wing might well be gutted, to make a main assembly hall for concerts, dancing, etc.

The fact that the central hall extends up into the first floor provides a natural segregation of the boys and girls dormitories, while giving equal access to the main staircase. By forming new kitchens and sanitary quarters in the rear courtyards, drainage and other services could be centralised without in any way altering the old building.

The dignity, fine detail, proportions and sense of historic permanence of the building would produce an environment which frequenters would learn to revere, respect and be proud to feel in part, owners and guardians.

In short, the money expended in reconditioning this building would be invested in the well-being of the rising generation, producing a high state of interest in the form of civic pride, health and cultural advancement. It is to be hoped that the Council will consider the immediate prosecution of the relatively small works which would keep the weather out and arrest the accelerating deterioration before another winter sets in, thus, work that literally cannot be reproduced may be saved for the enjoyment of our children.

I am,

Yours faithfully,

John E.M MacGregor, FRIBA

Technical Advisor

September, 1943.

Important notice:

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A Woodville Fest

November 16, 2015, 6:16 am

≫ Next: Lady Diana Spencer

≪ Previous: The 1943 Report on Lydiard House

It's more than two years since the Woodville re-enactors last visited Lydiard Park.

They camped in the park where they told the story of the War of the Roses (with weapons), gave demonstrations of medieval crafts and a display of archery in the Walled Garden.

Philippa Gregory tells the story of the Cousins' War (same event, different name) and the Woodville family.

Both versions have a direct connection to Lydiard House and the rise of the Tudor family.

Let's have a Woodville Fest with the re-enactors AND a Philippa Gregory talk/book signing with a showing of an episode of the White Queen.

How fantastic would that be?

Important notice:

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Lady Diana Spencer

November 17, 2015, 3:36 am

≫ Next: The Walled Garden at Lydiard Park

≪ Previous: A Woodville Fest

Did you know that the St John family, who owned Lydiard House and Park for 500 years, can boast several connections to our modern Royal family, including one to the late Diana, Princess of Wales?

Lady Diana Spencer, the daughter of Charles Spencer, the 3rd Duke of Marlborough, was born on March 24th 1735 at the Little Lodge in Windsor Park, a property owned by the indomitable dowager Duchess of Marlborough.

Her marriage to Frederick St John 2nd Viscount Bolingbroke in September 1757 was hardly a love match, but began as something of a joke according to an account by fellow artist Mary Delaney in a letter to her sister. She wrote that at a party in Vauxhall "the company was teasing Lord Bolingbroke to marry, and he turned quick to Lady Diana and said, Will you have me? Yes, to be sure, she replied."

It seemed like a good solution for all concerned. Lady Diana had arty ideas and Frederick needed a steadying influence.

With a marriage settlement of £10,000 paid by the Duke of Marlborough and a further £5,000 received from her great-grandmother's will four years later, Diana was worth the equivalent of £20.5 million today.

The couple began married life at 7 St. James Square in London spending the summer seasons at their Lydiard Park home.

Diana was a talented artist, producing a large body of work from designs for the Wedgewood pottery to pastel and watercolour portraits, including one of her second cousin, Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, which was later engraved and went into mass production.

But unfortunately Diana is inevitably remembered more for the scandals surrounding her private life then her skill as an artist.

With the violent Frederick showing little inclination to curb his rakish behavior, Diana sought solace in the company of Topham Beauclerk, a great grandson of Charles II and Nell Gwyn.

Following the birth of Diana and Topham's daughter Mary, Frederick petitioned for a bill to divorce his wife. The divorce settlement saw Frederick pocket the marriage portion of £15,000 while Diana was forced to renounce all claims to the Bolingbroke estate. Frederick raised the couple's two sons, with Diana seeing little of the boys during their childhood.

Diana and Beauclerk were married soon after her divorce was granted, but apparently her second marriage was only marginally happier than her first. She outlived her second husband by 28 years and died on August 1, 1808 at her home in Richmond.

The scandal of Diana's life continued when her son by Frederick, George Richard St. John, 3rd Viscount Bolingbroke fathered four sons in an incestuous relationship with Mary, her daughter by Beauclerk.

Improper Pursuits by Carola Hicks, the story of Lady Diana Spencer's life and work, is available from the gift shop at Lydiard House, all good bookshops and on loan from Swindon Central Library.

Visit the 'Blue Closet' in Lydiard House where examples of Diana's work are on display. Lydiard House is open Tuesday to Sundays visit the website on www.lydiardpark.org.uk for further details.

Lady Diana Spencer

Spot the resemblance to Diana, Princess of Wales

Diana's portrait of her cousin Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire

Gainsborough's portrait of Georgiana

These little cuties have a connection to Lydiard House and Park - Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

Important notice for lovers of Lydiard House:

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The Walled Garden at Lydiard Park

November 17, 2015, 4:25 am

≫ Next: Public engagement day at Lydiard Park November 18.

≪ Previous: Lady Diana Spencer

Are you gardening on a budget? Apparently so was Sir John St. John married to wealthy heiress Anne Furnese, when he transformed the gardens at Lydiard Park in 1743.

Sir John had the 17th century formal gardens tended by his grandmother torn up in the name of changing garden fashions for a romantic, more natural looking landscape. It was out with the old and in with the new and the formal fruit and flower garden was relocated to the back of the house.

Lady Johanna, wife of Sir Walter was a keen gardener. Letters written from her home in Battersea to Thomas Hardyman her steward at Lydiard indicate how involved she was with the planting and development of the garden.

hardyman
I bid richard brown send down some slips of the austrian rose if he hath sent them set them betwen the lawrel tre in the court if ther be any that stand far enough asunder...

Another letter to Hardyman gives instructions for Rudler, the gardener regarding a consignment of seeds...to send him a noat of the number and how to use them but the seed must not be s[own] till next yere tell him he must not brag to much least he lose them and tel him I would have all the white and yelow crowns planted in the outward garden as wel as thos that are turned plaine red or yalow or white bid him also save some of his white stock seed for us...

The walled garden has been central to the ambitious restoration project at Lydiard Park, championed by former keeper of the house Sarah Finch-Crisp.

The garden is surprisingly large with an area measuring 4,500 square metres. It's an odd shape too, a parallelogram. The northeastern wall is taller than the others to offer better protection against winter winds. While three of the corners are angled, the fourth is rounded. It has been suggested that a curved bench was probably positioned there to catch the last rays of the setting sun.

Wessex Archaeology made an excavation of the walled garden in 2004 ahead of the four-year restoration programme. Among the finds made was evidence of ornamental garden features and a well with a stone cistern.

Over 300 years later, the letters of 17th century Lady Johanna St. John have contributed to the design of the restored walled garden. Gardeners in charge of the 21st century planting have where possible selected plants, which would have been popular in St. John's day.

In the 17th century the purchase of a tulip bulb could lead to bankruptcy. Today they are a tad cheaper, good news for gardeners working to a budget.

Important notice for lovers of Lydiard's Walled Garden:

Photographs by Frances Bevan and Leah Bevan-Haines

You might also like to read

The Lady St Johns of Lydiard - Anne Leighton

Lady Diana Spencer

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Public engagement day at Lydiard Park November 18.

November 18, 2015, 1:51 am

≫ Next: Bar Humbug - what's happened to Christmas at Lydiard House?

≪ Previous: The Walled Garden at Lydiard Park

I am publishing today a statement issued by The Friends of Lydiard Park.

The Friends of Lydiard Park is an independent charity dedicated to supporting the conservation and continued enhancement of Lydiard House and Park. Founded in 2005 it is the successor to the Friends of Lydiard Tregoz whose 40 years of published research raised awareness and appreciation of this unique historic estate.

The Friends were instrumental in Lydiard's major landscape restoration project (2001-7) and today we play an active and important role in the protection, promotion, conservation and interpretation of the House and Park and St. Mary's Church Lydiard Tregoze.

Swindon Borough Council is inviting people to attend events tomorrow (Wednesday 18) and Sunday 22 November at the Visitor Centre, Lydiard Park, to give their views on what elements of Lydiard are important to them. A new partner/s is being sought to run Lydiard House and Park and while we appreciate the severe financial constraints that all local authority's face, the Trustees of the Friends are opposed to:

1. Any arrangement that would cause harm or loss to the significance and historical important of Lydiard House and Park.

2. Any situation that involves the closure or a reduction in free access to the Park and grounds by the general public.

3. Any situation that involves the closure or a reduction in access to the Lydiard House Museum and Walled Garden by the general public.

4. Any destruction of the historic landscape and structures within the Park which were restored as part of the £5.1m Heritage Lottery Fund Project.

6. Any arrangement which would harm, disperse or sell any part of the historic Lydiard House Museum collections, including such items as paintings, artefacts, archives, and furnishings.

7. Any arrangement that would involve the sale or sub-letting of the Park and Lydiard House Museum.

8. Any arrangement that significantly contradicts the long term plans fro Lydiard Park submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund in 2005.

9. No binding decisions on the future of Lydiard House and Park to be made without full and transparent compliance with Swindon Borough Council's recently established Consultation Policy.

Please let us know if you agree with these 'red lines' - full details of the events and how to email your views are on the Lydiard Park website:

Nothwithstanding the 'red lines' listed above, we believe that there are credible and acceptable changes which could be made at Lydiard Park to help Swindon Borough Council meet their financial objectives. Just some examples which could be explored in a proper consultation process are:

Enhanced revenue from the regeneration of the conference centre facility, potentially involving a new external partner providing weddings (including working with St Mary's Church), hospitality and events.

Car park charges with appropriate safeguards for local residents.

Increased revenue from an enhanced cafe/catering offer by SBC or an external partner.

Increased promotion of the unique combination of Lydiard House, St Mary's Church and the historic Park as a tourist destination.

If you are interested in adding your support please join the Friends of Lydiard Park.

Trustees meeting - Friends of Lydiard Park

↧

Bar Humbug - what's happened to Christmas at Lydiard House?

November 20, 2015, 2:57 am

≫ Next: Headline news: Modern Royals descended from Lydiard Park St John family

≪ Previous: Public engagement day at Lydiard Park November 18.

Swindon Borough Council will be holding the second of its public engagement days at the Visitor Centre, Lydiard Park on Sunday November 22 from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm.

The evaluation form we are invited to fill in is woefully inadequate I feel. It includes the usual tick box exercise but the two sections where we are invited to express our feelings are headed - What do you value most about the site and what does it do well? and What do you value least and think could be improved?

A lot of thought has obviously gone into these two statements, with the Council's ultimate objective in mind - the leasing out of the House and Parkland.

I value everything at Lydiard House and Park and yes, of course there is room for improvement, as in all services and attractions everywhere, both publicly and privately owned. But I still believe this could be achieved under Council ownership with the allocation of profit sharing contracts where the Council retains control rather than long term leases where it loses it.

If you are unable to attend this last public engagement day (and the end of the public consultation period, such as it was) please email your thoughts, ideas and comments to lydiardfuture@swindon.gov.uk. The deadline for responses is December 18. I would suggest you email earlier rather than later. You could even copy and paste 'the list' and send that as well..

The Friends of Lydiard Park are asking the Council to check their figures. In the Link magazine online edition Friends' chair Mike Bowden said: "... Many Lydiard and STEAM operations are now combined to achieve economies of scale and reduced staff numbers - presumably to further reduce the subsidy. We suspect costs that belong to STEAM have been incorrectly allocated to Lydiard." The full article makes for interesting reading.

I called into Lydiard House to find out what the Christmas programme of events included this year but apparently there isn't one! In previous years there have been Christmas decorations and Christmas wreath making workshops in the stable block; the House has been dressed for a Victorian/1914 Christmas with carol singers and bell ringers in the Grand Hall. Of course these events may yet happen, but we are now in the last two weeks of November and nothing has been advertised as yet, a missed opportunity for people to plan their busy pre Christmas diary.

Lydiard House

Unique selling point – scandal

Tell the story of the St John family

The links with the Tudors (perennially popular with children and adults alike)

The Civil War story

The Royal favourites and mistresses

The cheating husbands and wives

Henry, 1^st Viscount St John - murderer

Henry, 1^st Viscount Bolingbroke – Queen Anne’s Secretary at War – traitor

Links with the modern Royal Family

Every period of history is accessible through the House and the St John family

Improve PR and marketing:
Ask the National Trust and Historic England (Head Offices in Swindon) to advise – there are teams available to do just that.

Work with St Mary’s Church who are doing a fantastic PR job with guided tours and talks – visitor numbers have increased.

Use local people to improve marketing and PR

Host interest appropriate TV programmes e.g. Antiques Roadshow, Flog It etc

Motorway sign – informs people on the lucrative, history rich, West Country heritage trail that we are here.

Explore avenues of grants and funding.
Have a look at other Council run properties and see how they are making a success of things e.g. Blaise Castle http://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/blaise-castle-house-museum/

Lydiard House:

Open the front door again – a frequent complaint is that visitors think the house is closed.

Introduce modern interactive displays.

Introduce audio tour.

The story of the St Johns/the House/the restoration etc - told on film. This could also be sold as a DVD in the gift shop and used in marketing and PR – see local firm SwindonWeb...

Exhibitions: The costumes from the hugely popular Wolf Hall series recently went on tour. Why didn’t they come to Lydiard House?

Art exhibitions – seldom seen paintings from Swindon’s Modern Art Collection.

Talks and book signings: The historical/romantic novel reading public is huge - invite authors to give talks and book signings; ask Philippa Gregory author of numerous books on the Tudors and the Cousins War - her White Queen series has direct links with the Beauchamp/Tudor and St John families (see St Mary’s Church)
A Regency Reading Group - From Jane Austen to Nicola Cornick - for anyone who loves Regency reads. Locally based Nicola might even join the group from time to time.
Bridge tournaments - in 2012 the Swindon Bridge Society raised £1,200 which they donated to Lydiard House.
Fashion show and photo shoot on Grand Staircase - who remembers this event.

Improve and develop the gift shop:

I recently accompanied a group of American visitors and they couldn’t find enough items to buy!

Sell books by historical novelists such as Philippa Gregory and others

Sell DVDs

Parkland/Seasonal activities:

Cream teas: - either on the front lawn or in the walled area between House and Church

Pony & trap ride around the Park’s restored home circuit and outer areas of the estate. To provide this investigate local farmers.

Historical re-enactors: The Woodvilles have made several visits to Lydiard Park in the past and were extremely popular. Their activities were centred on the Park (where they set up camp) and the walled garden (where they gave a display of archery). I would suggest in future they give some of their talks in the House and Church.
And while we're at it let's big up the Tudor cousins at Lydiard House with a Tudor themed day - jousting on the front lawn, Tudor fast food for sale in the stable block, Tudor toys for the children to try, Tudor music in the walled garden.
Sealed Knot - one of two main civil war re-enactment organisations - Sir John St John 1st Baronet lost three sons fighting on the Royalist side. His two youngest sons fought on the Parliamentarian side and survived.
1940s re-enactors - there was an American Hospital/Prisoner of War Camp at Lydiard Park. Recent Auto & Retro Festival was extremely successful but could have linked to the history of the House and brought in visitors.
Rare Breeds Show - who remembers these, once held regularly and well attended.
Caravan Club - members parked on the event fields behind the play park, good income generating event.
Robin Reliant Owners Club - another popular, income generating event.
Morris Minor Owners Club - and yet another popular income generating event.
Kite Festival on the events fields
Hot air balloon festival on the events fields.

Continue and expand Christmas activities in the House – e.g. carols, bell ringers etc apparently sadly not happening Christmas 2015.
Re-introduce for Christmas 2016 using the whole site - Father Christmas storytime in Grand Hall
Christmas Craft Fayre.
Christmas grotto

Mulled wine and mince pies in the Grand Hall.
Antique Fair
A land train visiting all areas of the Parkland - Coate Water and the Outlet Village both have them.
Reintroduce colour coded parkland walks with wildlife information

Walled Garden

Art in the Garden – Sculpture, ceramics etc display by local artists.

Love Lydiard Craft Fayre – with costumed re-enactors – first event held 2015 was very successful – needs developing.

Guided walks and talks.

Classroom & stable block courtyard

Hands on experience of rural crafts – woodturning, lacemaking etc
Soft play area for pre-school children.
Hire accommodation out for children's parties.

Conference Centre:

How can the Council use the Conference Centre if the Chartridge contract, now in abeyance, is unlikely to be renewed?

Behind the scenes tour: American visitors received a tour around the upper rooms and they were fascinated.

Restore upper storey rooms for viewing - recreate a kitchen and a nursery. Investigate the Avebury Manor (National Trust) model – see reviews on http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g186413-d2454273-Reviews-Avebury_Manor-Avebury_Wiltshire_England.html

Open a restaurant – a pre requisite for every stately home and historic attraction - how – consult thriving, local businesses.
Negotiate contracts for services rather than lease to partners and lose control.
Make the historic house and picturesque setting the Swindon wedding venue.

Residential photography and art courses. Art and heritage are a fabulous mix.

Introduce car parking charges – this may not be the most popular of suggestions but any new ‘partner' would suggest and implement this immediately.

Add a small charge to the Council Tax bill.

↧

Headline news: Modern Royals descended from Lydiard Park St John family

November 20, 2015, 3:00 am

≫ Next: The List

≪ Previous: Bar Humbug - what's happened to Christmas at Lydiard House?

Yes, it's true and shouldn't we be making more of this fact. In the gift shop we should have postcard pictures of Prince George and Princess Charlotte, books on William and Kate - the love affair, the wedding, the babies. William and Kate mugs and plates. We should have photographs of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, books about her work, her doomed marriage and the enduring public interest in her.

Swindon Borough Council is missing a trick here with a lucrative, sustainable income on the popular West Country heritage trail.

Develop the gift shop under a profit sharing contract (not a lease) - one more income generating idea from the people of Swindon - the list.

Meanwhile read the story of Anne Leighton and her Tudor connections.

Anne Leighton grew up during the volatile period of political intrigue and religious fervour that marked the end of the Tudor period and the beginning of the Stuart. The daughter of professional soldier Sir Thomas Leighton and Elizabeth Knollys, who shared a Boleyn ancestry with Queen Elizabeth I, Anne was the first wife of Sir John St. John 1st Baronet.

Anne was christened on October 14, 1591 at the parish church of St. Mary the Virgin, Hanbury. Four miles from Droitwich, Hanbury in Worcestershire was the Leighton family seat. However it is likely she spent most of her childhood in Guernsey where her father was appointed Governor in 1570 and remained until his death in 1610.

With her royal pedigree and wealthy background Anne received an education befitting her status. Along with her brother Thomas and sister Elizabeth, Anne was educated at home in Guernsey by the controversial, uncompromising, Puritan preacher, William Bradshaw. The girls also received instruction in the skills required for running their own establishments.

The association between the Leighton and St. John families was a long standing one. The John St John and his siblings were orphaned in childhood. After their father’s death in 1594, their mother Lucy married her cousin Sir Anthony Hungerford of Black Bourton. Following her death in 1598 the heir to the St John estates was made a ward of the monarch.

Queen Elizabeth granted Sir Thomas Leighton the wardship of the young John St. John and the lease of his lands after an appeal from Lady Elizabeth Leighton who stated that she and her husband were ‘minded to match him to their daughter.’

Sadly, whilst on holiday with Sir Thomas in 1597 John’s elder brother Walter got into difficulties bathing off the Island of Herm with a group of fellow young guests. His tutor Isaac Daubney went to his aid, but both were drowned. John subsequently succeeded to the family estate, aged just 11 years old.

Anne duly married John at St. John’s Church, Hackney on July 9, 1604. Still a ward of court, John was 19 years old. With no legal age for marriage, Anne was just 13.

It is not known when the young couple first set up home together, although the daughter of Sir John’s sister Lucy St John suggests it was soon after their marriage.

“The rest of my aunts, my mother’s sisters, were dispersed to several places, when they grew up till my uncle, Sir John St. John, being married to the daughter of Sir Thomas Laten, they were all again brought home to their brother’s house,” Lucy wrote in her Memoirs of Colonel Hutchinson.

Lucy also writes of the kindness shown by Anne to her mother, the youngest of six sisters among whom there was considerable rivalry in the matrimonial stakes –“my uncle’s wife, who had a mother’s kindnesse for her, persuaded her to remove herselfe from her sister’s envie, by going along with her to the Isle of Jernsey where her father was governor.”

The St. John family was the largest landowners in the 17th century parish of Lydiard Tregoze with the medieval deer park, numerous farms including Windmill Leaze and Wick, plus others at Shaw and parcels of land in the neighbouring parish of Lydiard Millicent.

In 1604 the medieval mansion house to which the newly married couple returned consisted of two wings linked by a central hall block. This was a period when a number of titled families were renovating their ancestral homes and in many instances it was the lady of the house who was in charge of building operations. Perhaps Anne was the driving force behind the modernisation of Lydiard House, dragging it out of the past and into the 17th century. The remodelled Palladian house as seen today was the work of her great grandson John, 2nd Viscount St. John.

Unlike subsequent members of the family who divided their time between their various establishments, the Lydiard mansion was the permanent home of John and Anne. These were busy times for the young couple and their growing family. Knighted at Whitehall on February 2, 1608/9, Sir John became one of newly crowned James I’s Baronets in 1611.

The St. John’s had status, wealth and connections. The family finances were secure. These, it might be said, were the golden years.

The ladies at Lydiard kept up with the fashion of the day as this extract from a London dressmaker’s bill indicates. The total cost for items for Anne, her two daughters Anne aged 15 and Barbara eleven years old and a Mistress Talbot came to £12 17s 5d, presented for payment after Anne’s death in 1628.

The Lady St. Johns of Lideard the 28 of March 1629

For Canvas stifning and whalbone for Mistress Ans grene and white flowered grogram goune
for fustyan to lyne the sleves and Clasps
for a yeard of Crimson and silver grogram for the same goune
for a norme and quarter of new silver lan[...]
for the bodis and sleves
for faring for the same goune
for silke

There are three representations of Anne at Lydiard House and Park. A portrait by an unknown artist hangs in the dining room. Dressed in fashions typical of the period, Anne wears a grey dress with epaulettes embroidered in green, red and gold and a deep lace collar edged with red and gold embroidery. Her hairstyle owes more to the Elizabethan period worn swept back from her face with a pendant inset and earrings to match. She has a kindly expression, unlike the severe looking Margaret Whitmore, Sir John’s second wife, whose portrait hangs above the one of Anne.

Anne also appears in the St. John Polyptych in St. Mary’s Church, next to the mansion house. Commissioned by Sir John in 1615, the painting is a celebration of the St. John ancestry and a memorial to his parents, Sir John and Lucy who take centre stage, kneeling on a tomb. To the right of the family portrait are their six daughters while to the left stand the younger Sir John and Anne, their arms interlinked in a display of informality and intimacy.

Anne did not live to see the turmoil of the Civil War in which five of her sons played an active role.

The first of Anne’s three sons to die for the Royalist cause was William born 1617, killed in action at nearby Cirencester. A lieutenant in the infantry, William was fighting alongside Prince Rupert when Cirencester was seized on February 2 1642/3. His body was returned to Lydiard House where he was buried alongside his mother in the family vault at St. Mary’s.

Later the same year, John, Anne’s second son, died fighting in Nottinghamshire. The Royal garrison at Newark was blockaded during the winter of 1643 and it is believed that John was killed during fierce fighting. He was buried in the chancel of the parish church at Newark.

The third of Anne’s sons to die fighting in the Royalist ranks was Edward. A captain in Sir John Byron’s Regiment of Horse, Edward saw action at the Second Battle of Newbury on October 27 1644. He returned to Lydiard House where fatally wounded he lingered on, eventually dying of his injuries over five months later. He was also buried in the family vault at St. Mary’s.

Anne’s two youngest sons Walter and Henry both married daughters of Cromwellian sympathiser Oliver St. John, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, nailing their colours firmly to the Parliamentarian mast.

Finally, an effigy of Anne can be seen on the magnificent marble St. John tomb commissioned by Sir John fourteen years before his actual death. The carving is of the highest quality and a comparison with existing portraits confirms the accuracy of the representations of Sir John and his two wives.

The inscription reads: “Anne was the daughter of Thomas Leighton, Knight, by his wife Elizabeth of the Knowles family and of the kindred of Queen Elizabeth, as blessed in character as in connection. She lived for thirty seven years, endowed with noble gifts of mind, body, and manner, a rare example of virtue and piety; she was the mother of thirteen surviving children; in the end, long worn down by the painful agonies of her last confinement and at last overcome, she fled to heaven on the 19th September, 1638.”

The date is incorrectly recorded and should read 1628.

Portrait of Anne Leighton hangs in the dining room in Lydiard House

The St John tomb in St Mary's Church

Anne's mother, Elizabeth Knollys

Anne's grandmother Catherine Carey, believed to be the illegitimate daughter of Henry VIII

Mary Boleyn, sister of Anne Boleyn, who had an affair with Henry VIII during which time she gave birth to two children.

Prince George and Princess Charlotte, the children of William and Catherine, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, direct descendants of Anne Leighton

Portrait of Anne Leighton courtesy of Lydiard House

↧

The List

November 23, 2015, 12:34 pm

≫ Next: What do you Value from Lydiard Park & House?

≪ Previous: Headline news: Modern Royals descended from Lydiard Park St John family

Lydiard House

Unique selling point – scandal

Tell the story of the St John family

The links with the Tudors (perennially popular with children and adults alike)

The Civil War story

The Royal favourites and mistresses

The cheating husbands and wives

Henry, 1^st Viscount St John - murderer

Henry, 1^st Viscount Bolingbroke – Queen Anne’s Secretary at War – traitor

Links with the modern Royal Family

Every period of history is accessible through the House and the St John family

Improve PR and marketing:
Ask the National Trust and Historic England (Head Offices in Swindon) to advise – there are teams available to do just that.

Work with St Mary’s Church who are doing a fantastic PR job with guided tours and talks – visitor numbers have increased.

Use local people to improve marketing and PR

Host interest appropriate TV programmes e.g. Antiques Roadshow, Flog It etc

Motorway sign – informs people on the lucrative, history rich, West Country heritage trail that we are here.

Lydiard House:

Open the front door again – a frequent complaint is that visitors think the house is closed.

Introduce modern interactive displays.

Introduce audio tour.

The story of the St Johns/the House/the restoration etc - told on film. This could also be sold as a DVD in the gift shop and used in marketing and PR – see local firm SwindonWeb...

Exhibitions: The costumes from the hugely popular Wolf Hall series recently went on tour. Why didn’t they come to Lydiard House?

Art exhibitions – seldom seen paintings from Swindon’s Modern Art Collection.

Talks and book signings: The historical/romantic novel reading public is huge - invite authors to give talks and book signings; ask Philippa Gregory author of numerous books on the Tudors and the Cousins War - her White Queen series has direct links with the Beauchamp/Tudor and St John families (see St Mary’s Church)
A Regency Reading Group - From Jane Austen to Nicola Cornick - for anyone who loves Regency reads. Locally based Nicola might even join the group from time to time.
Bridge tournaments - in 2012 the Swindon Bridge Society raised £1,200 which they donated to Lydiard House.
Fashion show and photo shoot on Grand Staircase - who remembers this event.

Improve and develop the gift shop:

I recently accompanied a group of American visitors and they couldn’t find enough items to buy!

Sell books by historical novelists such as Philippa Gregory and others

Sell DVDs

Parkland/Seasonal activities:

Cream teas: - either on the front lawn or in the walled area between House and Church

Pony & trap ride around the Park’s restored home circuit and outer areas of the estate. To provide this investigate local farmers.

Walled Garden

Art in the Garden – Sculpture, ceramics etc display by local artists.

Love Lydiard Craft Fayre – with costumed re-enactors – first event held 2015 was very successful – needs developing.

Guided walks and talks.

Classroom & stable block courtyard

Hands on experience of rural crafts – woodturning, lacemaking etc
Soft play area for pre-school children.
Hire accommodation out for children's parties.

Conference Centre:

How can the Council use the Conference Centre if the Chartridge contract, now in abeyance, is unlikely to be renewed?

Behind the scenes tour: American visitors received a tour around the upper rooms and they were fascinated.

Residential photography and art courses. Art and heritage are a fabulous mix.

Introduce car parking charges – this may not be the most popular of suggestions but any new ‘partner' would suggest and implement this immediately.

Add a small charge to the Council Tax bill.

↧

What do you Value from Lydiard Park & House?

November 24, 2015, 1:52 am

≫ Next: 'Here is a good old mansion-house ...

≪ Previous: The List

If you were unable to attend the two public engagement days at Lydiard Park you can print off this form and scan it and send your reply to lydiardfuture@swindon.gov.uk or post it to Rachel Watts, Asset Transformation Delivery Lead at Swindon Borough Council, Civic Offices, Euclid Street, Swindon SN1 2JH. Closing date is December 18.

There have been criticisms of this process and the form.

1. Why wasn't the form available, not only as a hard copy, but also online. In the past the Council has used SurveyMonkey - see the following Wikipedia description -

SurveyMonkey is an online survey development cloud-based (software as a service) company, founded in 1999 by Ryan Finley. SurveyMonkey provides free, customizable surveys, as well as a suite of paid back-end programs that include data analysis, sample selection, bias elimination, and data representation tools. In addition to providing free and paid plans for individual users. SurveyMoney offers more large-scale enterprise options for companies interested in data analysis, brand management, and consumer-focused marketing.

2. The ethnicity question is inadequate.

3. The questions are heavily loaded - what do you value most and what do you value least.

If you list the children's playpark as least valued, will that go or will it be leased out to a private company and be subject to the vagaries of maintenance and access charges?

If you value the barbecue facilities least, will these receive the same treatment?

And if you value least the Grade I listed Palladian mansion and restored (with £3 million from the HLF) 18th century Walled Garden, what does the future hold for this beautiful, historic property?

4. The form ends on a cliff hanger:- Please return your completed questionnaire, either by post or hand-delivered, to: ... and there is no name or address.

Does this two day process, based on a questionable set of figures, and a poorly constructed form inspire you with confidence?

If you would like to include a few ideas (from the people of Swindon) to create sustainable sources of income for Lydiard House & Park, please feel free to print off The List and send it with your form.

And maybe you would like to consider joining the Friends of Lydiard Park?

↧

'Here is a good old mansion-house ...

November 24, 2015, 8:45 am

≫ Next: Celebrating Art in the Walled Garden

≪ Previous: What do you Value from Lydiard Park & House?

By the mid 19th century the Palladian mansion house at Lydiard Tregoze was a little the worse for wear. Generations of St John's had chosen to spend their declining fortunes on racehorses, fine porcelain and grand tours rather than a bit of DIY and the ancestral home was beginning to show its age.

Radical politician William Cobbett rode through the parish in September 1826 and later wrote:

'Here is a good old mansion-house and large walled-in garden and a park, belonging, they told me, to Lord Bolingbroke. I went quite down to the house, close to which stands the large and fine church. It appears to have been a noble place; the land is some of the finest in the whole country; the trees show that the land is excellent; but, all, except the church, is in a state of irrepair and apparent neglect, if not abandonment.

William had pretty much hit the nail on the head.

The house had served as a holiday home for the family for close on 150 years. Despite a major make over in the early 18th century subsequent St John's had elected to live in London close to where the action was, popping back to Wiltshire for a spot of shooting and partying. By the 1830s Henry, 4th Viscount Bolingbroke, was renting out the house and parkland. His wife, Maria, Lady Bolingbroke was in Aberystwyth at the time of her death in 1836 and Henry was in Scotland at the time of his in 1851.

So, who was living in a house like this?

Not any old family, but one that had extended links to the St John's. At the time of the 1841 census Thomas Orby Hunter was the tenant at Lydiard House with his daughter and son-in-law Charles and Charlotte Orby Wombwell and their baby daughter.

On June 6, 1841 the servants quarters was pretty much full with sixteen members of staff living in on census night and a further three recorded in the stables. Most gave their birthplace as out of the parish, so presumably Thomas brought his own staff with him.

Ten years later and Charles Orby Wombwell had taken over the tenancy. He had cut down on the indoor servants but there were still an impressive eleven in residence on census night, including a governess, butler, housekeeper, cook, kitchen maid, two housemaids, a nursemaid, a footman and a groom. This time there were more local folk on the pay roll - Elizabeth Hiscocks, the daughter of Lydiard gamekeeper Robert Hiscocks, Ann Dobson from Lydiard Tregoze, Richard Weeks from neighbouring Lydiard Millicent and Jesse Turner who would later become butler to Lord Bolingbroke.

So what is the connection with the Wombwell and the St John families?

Charles Orby Wombwell was the son of Sir George Wombwell and his second wife Eliza Little. He and his elder half brother George both married daughters of Thomas Orby Hunter. As we have seen Charles married Charlotte, his brother married Georgiana.

Sir George and Georgiana's son George married Julia Sarah Alice Child Villiers - are you keeping up - now Julia was the daughter of George Augustus Frederick Child Villiers 6th Earl of Jersey and his wife Julia Peel. The young Mrs Wombwell could trace her ancestry back eight generations to Sir Edward Villiers and his wife Barbara St John who grew up at Lydiard House, one of the six daughters on the magnificent St John polyptych in St Mary's Church.

St John polyptych in St Mary's Church

Barbara Villiers, the former Barbara St. John

↧

Celebrating Art in the Walled Garden

November 28, 2015, 1:12 am

≫ Next: Petitioning Swindon Borough Council

≪ Previous: 'Here is a good old mansion-house ...

Three years ago I visited the newly revamped Avebury Manor. In 2010 the BBC in partnership with the National Trust refurbished and redecorated nine rooms in the empty manor house, each in a different period of history as part of a series called The Manor Reborn. (You can still view a few short clips here).

The fixtures and fittings were a mixture of antique fair purchases and creative up-cycling and in some cases new pieces made in the style of ... As nothing is irreplaceable or intrinsic to the house, visitors are allowed, nay encouraged, to sit on the chairs, open cupboards and drawers and bounce on the beds.

The whole project was something of an experiment and it is probably fair to say the National Trust had certain reservations, but it has been a resounding success and on each subsequent visit I have made the house has been busy, so much so there is a timed entry to prevent the rooms becoming too crowded.

Now I'm not suggesting taking down the red ropes in the state rooms at Lydiard House and letting people have a rummage.

My idea would be to convert a couple of rooms on the first floor (not all of them) presently occupied by Chartridge and give them the Avebury treatment. Yes, there would be an initial expense, but there maybe grants or sponsorship available - the idea could at least be explored!

I wasn't going to write about Avebury Manor House today, but I was going to show you some images of the gardens. In 2012 there was an exhibition called Celebrating Art in the Garden, which I think is ideally suited to the Walled Garden at Lydiard House.

We have a thriving artistic community in and around Swindon whose members could easily stage such an exhibition - so why don't we ask them?

Why not visit the Swindon Open Studios blog where Linda writes about a recent visit to a celebration of art in a garden (well I never) - see below and get in touch.

Swindon Open Studios: Barbara Hepworth Museum, St.Ives: Having missed out on visiting the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden previously, it was a must on a recent visit, and will be so ...

↧

Petitioning Swindon Borough Council

November 29, 2015, 2:41 am

≫ Next: Princess Charlotte

≪ Previous: Celebrating Art in the Walled Garden

Are you struggling to keep up with events surrounding the future of Lydiard House and Park?

Following just two public engagement days any further questions you might have now have to be asked (and hopefully answered) via email at lydiardfuture@swindon.gov.uk. The process continues until December 11, which is the deadline for expressions of interest from parties wanting to lease areas of the estate, and December 18 for members of the public to contribute their views.

The Friends of Lydiard Park have expressed their ideas and opinions to Swindon Borough Council and in the local press.

But if you think that it's not such a bad idea for the Council to lease out areas of the Park if they can no longer afford to subsidize it, could I flag up a few issues?

Swindon Borough Council cannot guarantee that free, unrestricted access to Lydiard Park will continue under any new partnership.

Neither can they guarantee that any development in the Park will not take place and at the West Swindon Localities meeting on November 2 there was a suggestion that outlying areas of the estate could be used for just that with the example given that it could be a suitable location for an hotel.

There is also a suggestion that the £450,000 subsidy is questionable and that the salaries of full time staff who work at both STEAM and Lydiard Park are included in the Lydiard Park bill.

People throw up their hands in horror at the thought of introducing car parking charges, yet implemented with concessions for local residents and parking restrictions in neighbouring areas, this one intervention could provide a life line for the Council and the long term future of the Park. And you bet any new partner will introduce car parking charges immediately and without sensitivity to local residents.

You might also like to see how questions about the future of Lydiard Park were answered at the Council Meeting on November 12, and that an identical response was given to two different questions.

And if have any ideas that you think could contribute to generating a sustainable income for Lydiard Park whilst continuing to keep it under local authority control, please comment on my blog post The List - it's already quite extensive, but the people of Swindon are open to ideas. Unfortunately it would seem that the only idea the Council is interested in listening to is how to get shot of the whole thing.

If you love Lydiard you might consider signing the petition - Lydiard House and Park at Risk

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Princess Charlotte

November 29, 2015, 11:18 pm

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Latest photographs of Princess Charlotte taken by her mother Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.

Did you know the little Princess and her brother George are direct descendants of Anne St John whose portrait hangs in the dining room at Lydiard House?

Why is the Council not making more of this fabulous connection to Lydiard House. The story of Diana, Princess of Wales/William and Kate/Prince George and Princess Charlotte would make a fantastic exhibition and bring in visitors who previously knew nothing of the connection.

If you want to see Lydiard House and Park continue to remain under local authority ownership and not be leased out to private partners, please sign the Friends of Lydiard Park petition

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