Public meeting to save Lydiard Park (2), January 2016

In January 2016 an unprecedented number of local people met to protest at Swindon Borough Council's decision to outsource Lydiard House and Park to the private commercial sector. It was a move the council explained was due to financial pressures.

The public response was overwhelming. 750 people packed Greendown Community School in a meeting organised by The Friends of Lydiard Park in January 2016. The meeting was led by Friends' Chair, Mike Bowden, and was filmed and aired by BBC Points West.

The meeting and a petition of 10,000 people convinced the council to allow community organisations to compete for the running of Lydiard Park. In 2017 The Lydiard Park Heritage Trust (formed with active support and direct involvement of The Friends of Lydiard Park) was chosen as the council's preferred bidder.

After lengthy negotiations, Swindon Council unilaterally decided they would retain the management of Lydiard Park. Since then they have reinvested in the house, park and hotel and are working collaboratively with The Friends of Lydiard Park to ensure it remains Swindon's 'Jewel in the Crown'.