Spring is in the air at Lydiard House and Park

It might not have felt very Springlike today, with squally showers and a chilly blast, but the forecast for the rest of the week is looking promising and I feel in a buoyant Lydiard House and Park mood.

Next week sees the last in the Behind Closed Doors series of events on March 16 at 7 pm when Jane Rutherfoord will talk about ancient wall paintings and her fascinating conservation work at St Mary's Church, Lydiard Tregoze. For more information visit the Friends of Lydiard Park website.

Lydiard House, which has been closed since before Christmas, reopens on March 19 with a new exhibition called Lydiard at War.

And then yesterday yet more information arrived concerning future events at Lydiard House including the Friends AGM on May 7. Mike Bowden, Chairman of the Friends, writes:

"Given the very serious threat Lydiard House and Park is currently under and the uncertainty of its future remaining in public hands, we will devote our afternoon to this issue, providing you with an update on events including the formation of the Lydiard Park Heritage Trust and its bid to take over the management of the House and Park. This will also be an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have on the subject."

The Friends annual summer outing will be to Croome Court, Worcestershire, home to the Coventry family, among whom was Barbara St John, the daughter of John St John, the 11th Baron St John of Bletsoe. Barbara married George William Coventry, 6th Earl of Coventry in 1764. Read more about them on the Good Gentlewoman blog.

If you love Lydiard why not join the Friends? Membership costs £10 per individual and £18 for a couple. Under the present arrangements friends continue to have free access to the House and Walled Garden.

Barbara St John, Countess of Coventry

Summer 2014 edition of Swindon Heritage and the story of Frances Winchcombe

Lydiard House

Walled Garden

View across the lake

Sun dial in the Walled Garden

More views of the Walled Garden

Time travelling in Lydiard Park with the Woodvilles

The State Bed

18th century view of Lydiard House and Park

Classical bust in the Grand Hall, Lydiard House

Croome Court, Worcs.

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My neck of the woods

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