We were delighted to welcome Harry Fleetwood to our Creative Textile day for an informal chat and question session. Harry worked at Lydiard House from 1953 to 1960 for the then Swindon Corporation. Harry is a carpenter and joiner and had the task of working to help restore Lydiard House. It was fascinating to hear his recollections of the house when Swindon Corporation first bought the property for just over £4,000.
The roof had to be repaired first and then, they started work on the windows, which happen to be the original sash windows from the time when the house was originally built. The ceiling in the library had to be rebuilt from the bedroom floor above.. and Italian craftsmen were employed to repair and remake much of the mouldings to the state rooms downstairs. the stairs had to be extensively refurnished. There was no electric and the lighting was oil lamps. There was no heating either. ..... and then there was the ghost!!!!!
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