Lydiard Park, The Work of Restoration (1945-1973) by Deputy Borough Architect Arthur Flack

Arthur Flack describes the neglected and delipidated state of Lydiard House in 1945 when 'the whole roof (was) kept in position by its own weight'. Despite temporary felt covers held down by battens, water penetration had caused terrible damage to walls, ceilings and decorative plaster work. The council had been told the repair bill could cost as much as £50,000.

Mr Flack talks of the first repair grant for roof works being awarded in 1954 by the Ancient Monuments Department of the Ministry of Works and repairs to ceilings, walls and plasterwork in the State Rooms.

This article shows that the restoration of the building was by no means finished when the State Rooms opened to the public in 1955 and that at the time of writing (1973), restoration was ongoing.