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.

18th May
Annual Meeting followed by an Illustrated talk to be given by Sonia St.John entitled "A Castle in my Handbag"

8th August
Summer outing with a special opportunity to visit Ditchley Park.

As part of the conservation project up to three artists will be offered the chance to undertake a residency over a six week period for a minimum of 2 days a week between June and October 2019. Although the residency is based on observational drawing in the church, artists can interpret their work in any medium. To qualify they will need to practice in the area of contemporary drawing and be over 19 years of age.
Click here for details
Applications must be received by Friday 3rd May 2019 - so don't delay!

'Airs from the Isles' Concert

St Mary's Church in Lydiard Park hosts the fifth of its popular summer concerts on Saturday, 8 June and this time with a twist! Concert-goers will have the unique opportunity to experience firsthand the working environment of conservation experts restoring the nationally important, historic interior of the church. Local ladies' choir, Wentworth Voices, and the Strictly Recorders group, will combine with vocal and instrumental soloists young and old to raise funds for the restoration project. The varied programme of light music will also feature poetry readings from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland - all held against the backdrop of scaffolding! Paul Gardner, Conservation Project Chair, says: "We are delighted to host this celebration of musical talent again, especially now that everyone who attends can see evidence of the actual work in progress - the result of their generous giving towards the restoration of the church to its full glory." All proceeds from the concert will go towards the National Heritage Lottery Fund Project for the church, focussed on restoring the medieval wall paintings, seventeenth century monuments, ancient carved woodwork and starry chancel ceiling, all listed in the Church of England's list of top 100 Church Treasures Appeal. Also included in the project will be access improvements, new heating and lighting, imaginative interpretation and lively education programmes. The concert starts at 7.30pm with tickets £5 available on the door and refreshments will served in the interval.

Elizabeth St.John's novel "The Lady of the Tower" is now followed by the story of the next generation in "by Love Divided". Elizabeth launched the book in December 2018 at Lydiard House as the second part of the Lydiard Chronicles.