Swindon in the Past Lane

So, what is it like growing up with a famous suffragette in the family? What was the family view on her militant activities? Did they support her, or was she an embarrassment? These are some of the questions we will be asking Tamara Dugdale, Edith New's great niece, at A Talk and a Tea Party at St Saviour's Hall, Ashford Road on Saturday March 19, 12.30 to 2.30. Edith was born on March 17, 1877 at 24 North Street, Swindon and we will be celebrating her 139th birthday in style with Tamara in conversation with Leah Bevan-Haines and Frances Bevan. Sadly Edith died when Tamara was very young but did she grow up hearing about her famous great aunt, we wonder? Tamara will be telling us more about Edith's family and what she thinks inspired her to take up the Votes for Women cause. Another opportunity for us to wear our suffragette costumes, so don the purple, green and white colours ladies (banners are optional) and let's wish Edith many happy returns. For further u...

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...

The summer of 2008 saw the BBC's Antiques Roadshow set up camp in the grounds of Lanhydrock, a country house in Cornwall where a piece of Lydiard Tregoze local history made a surprise appearance. Expert Penny Britten provided a brief history of the printed Valentine and valued the 200 year old handmade one sent to Roadshow visitor Graham's great-great-great grandmother Alice Crook in 1803. Alice Catherine Crook was born in Lydiard Tregoze in 1782, the daughter of Simon Crook and his wife the former Elizabeth Woolford.  Flaxlands Farm, part of the Lydiard Park estate owned by Lord Bolingbroke, was occupied by the Woolford family at the time of the couple's marriage in 1777, with Simon taking over the tenancy in 1782. Although unsigned, Alice knew the sender of her Valentine.  Richard Hallilay, born in Greenwich in 1785, was the son of local girl Sarah Goddard and her husband, Richard Hallilay.  Graham supposes Alice and Richard might have enjoyed a holiday romance...

Who would have thought that I'd enjoy a talk about cleaning? At yesterday's Behind Closed Doors event Frances Yeo, curator at Lydiard House (and STEAM Museum) explained how she and her staff care and clean the collection. There were quite a few surprises in store, but it all made perfect sense. She explained why visitors might notice a discreet coating of dust on some of the surfaces and the less obvious that surface is, the thicker the dust - but as Frances explained, this isn't lazy housekeeping. Dragging a cloth across a dusty table top can cause an amazing amount of damage. Apparently dust isn't a problem until it is several layers deep and this could take up to two years to accumulate. So no need to dust every week then - which has been my argument for, well a lot longer than two years! Frances explained all about heat, humidity and light recordings and the difficult job of coping with the antiquated heating system in Lydiard House. The niceties of when t...

If you've ever dismissed the romantic novel as inferior to other genres, Nicola Cornick made a few salient  points during her talk at Central Library last night. Historian and best selling romantic novelist Nicola Cornick has a hugely successful 18 year writing career and with 40 novels under her belt (published in 27 different countries) she knows what she's talking about. During her Valentine Day themed talk, at which there were book giveaways AND chocolate roses, Nicola charted the history of the novel, in particular the romantic novel, once considered a danger to women and children. From its roots in the oral, medieval troubadour tradition to the 1970s and 80s lucrative writing market the romantic novel continues today to be as popular as ever. Nicola talked about her own early reading experiences and her grandmother's secret library kept hidden in her lavender scented wardrobe. It was here that Nicola became acquainted with the romantic works of Ethel ...

Nicola Cornick - Author Talk Date:  11th February 2016 Location:  Central Library, Regent Street, Swindon, Wilts SN1 1QG Time:  19:15 - 20:30 Cost:  £2.50 (£1.50 Library Members) Historical Romance - the fact and the fiction! Romantic fiction – from the medieval troubadours to Sir Walter Scott, Jane Austen to Barbara Cartland! To celebrate Valentine’s Day, international best selling author Nicola Cornick tells the history of romantic fiction from the Middle Ages to the present. With tips for aspiring authors and advice on how to get published, Nicola reveals all about romance! Nicola will also be promoting and signing copies of her new novel 'House of Shadows' published by MIRA Books. Nicola Cornick has been shortlisted four times for the US Romance Writers of America RITA Award and twice for the UK Romantic Novelists Association Romance Prize. She is also Awards Organiser for the Romantic Novelists' Association and a mentor for their New Writers' Scheme...

The Behind Closed Doors event at Lydiard House continues this week with an afternoon talk. Wed 3rd February 2.30 pm Wigs, Ruffs and Robes - Discover hidden stories behind the portraits of sumptuously dressed aristocrats with Lydiard House educationalist Nancy Heath. All the tours and talks in this series of events are free (donations are welcomed) but places are limited and you do need to book a place. Telephone Charlotte Thwaites on 01793 465277 or email cthwaites@swindon.gov.uk. For details about forthcoming events visit the Lydiard Park or the Friends of Lydiard Park websites. by Maria Verelst This little dimpled darling is Holles St John, youngest son of Henry 1st Viscount St John and his second wife Angelica Pellisary. Angelica had 12 children, but only four survived to adulthood, George (1693-1716); Henrietta (1699-1756); John (1702-49) and Holles (1710-38). Little is know about Holles excepting that he was an equerry to Queen Carolin...