We are delighted to let you know of two important new appointments in the Lydiard community. Writer and historian Nicola Cornick has joined the Friends of Lydiard Park Board of Trustees and retired lecturer Ann Hutchinson has become the new Volunteer Co-ordinator for St. Mary’s Lydiard Tregoze.
Nicola Cornick
Nicola Cornick is an international bestselling and award-winning novelist who has written over thirty historical novels in a career spanning twenty years. As well as writing, Nicola gives talks on a wide variety of historical and writing topics, acts as a consultant for TV and radio programmes and has interviewed authors such as Tracy Chevalier and Alison Weir. In her spare time, Nicola volunteers as a guide and researcher for the National Trust at the 17th century Ashdown House.
Nicola says:
“I first discovered Lydiard Park over twenty years ago when I moved to Swindon and I was excited to find such a historical gem on my doorstep. I’m looking forward to finding out much more about Lydiard House, the Park and its rich history.”
In her new role as a trustee, Nicola is going to be managing media for the Friends and helping to promote the charity and Lydiard Park to even more people. She will also be contributing articles to our new website and ensuring we bring you a lively calendar of stories and news. Sarah Finch-Crisp, Chair of the Friends says:
“Nicola has been a member of the Friends of Lydiard Park for a number of years and we are so pleased she has joined the trustees at this important stage in our development. Her deep interest in history and ability to communicate that knowledge, will bring additional interest and sparkle to our work.”
Anne Hutchinson
In March this year Ann Hutchinson joined the team at St. Mary’s Lydiard Tregoze as our their Volunteer Co-ordinator. Ann, who has recently retired comes with a background in teaching and lecturing as well as a broad range of volunteer experience from guiding with Brownie and Rainbow groups to leading volunteer trips to developing countries.
Ann says:
“I’m looking forward to joining an already committed team who have achieved great things over the last year in conserving this precious historic building. It is a particular honour to be involved in this church with its important history and heritage. We are truly a privileged group of people to be entrusted with the care of this building and we have a duty to share it with those who worship regularly, visit occasionally and come in through its welcoming doors for many reasons.”
Clive Deverell, Vicar of St. Mary’s says:
“This is a very welcome appointment and we look forward to working with Ann this year and in the coming years to build a strong and vibrant volunteer programme. We may not be able to do all that we would like to over the coming months, due to the public health situation, but Ann will be working behind the scenes, contacting all our current volunteers and establishing new opportunities for skills training, socialising and learning in readiness for less restricted times ahead.”
Ann’s other current roles include bell ringing, supporting a school in Kenya, teaching English classes for refugees and supporting the Keep Wiltshire Walking group as a walk leader. She lives locally, so St. Mary’s and Lydiard Park are a familiar walk across the fields.
Looking ahead, with the current coronavirus situation hopefully behind us all, Ann adds:
“I shall look forward to meeting and supporting our volunteers who span such a wide range of roles and my main message to anyone thinking about becoming a volunteer is do get involved – you will get so much out of it.”