Walled Garden in full bloom thanks to Friends

The Friends of Lydiard Park donated £2,500 to make Lydiard’s 18th Century Walled Garden even more stunning in the spring and summer months.

Lydiard Park’s Head Gardener, Andy Dyer, used the donation to design a display within the garden’s flower beds using 9,000 spring flowering bulbs including Tulips, Hyacinths and Narcissi.

Andy and fellow Lydiard gardeners Chloe Dyer and Helen Byrne, supported by Swindon Borough Council’s Grounds team, joined volunteers to plant the bulbs, which have created a beautiful mixture of colour with the flowers benefitting the early pollinators.

The Walled Garden, which sits behind the Coach House café, was built in the 1740s by the St John family with the rhombus-shaped garden used to grow flowers and fruit as well as providing a pleasant place for the family to stroll after dinner.

Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Planning who is responsible for the Borough’s country parks, joined Julie Holland, Billy Beaumont and Frances Bevan from the Friends of Lydiard Park, and Head Gardener Andy Dyer and volunteers Mike Newton and Sean Granstrom to see the fruits of their labour.

“Wow!” said Cllr Strinkovsky after seeing the flowers for the first time yesterday (10 April). “The Walled Garden is one of Lydiard’s treasure troves and to see it resplendent in vibrant colours was simply breathtaking.

“Andy, his team and all the volunteers have done an amazing job and I’d like to thank each and every one of them for enhancing what was already one of the best flower and fruit-growing gardens.

“But none of this would have been possible without the support of the Friends of Lydiard Park as their kind donation has helped elevate the Walled Garden to another level.”

Julie Holland, Secretary of The Friends of Lydiard Park, said: “A heartfelt thank you to Andy and his remarkable team for their vision, dedication, and hard work.

“The tulips (bulbs) are a stunning tribute - unique and rich with historical meaning - that beautifully honour the legacy of the Walled Garden and its special place in Lydiard Park’s heritage. You’ve brought history to life with colour and care.”

To find out more about the Walled Garden, including opening times and admission prices, visit the Lydiard Park website: www.lydiardpark.org.uk/visit/walled-garden/

Further information about the work of The Friends of Lydiard Park is available on the charity’s website: www.friendsoflydiardpark.org.uk