The Arts Society Kennet & Swindon’s Heritage Volunteer Group has been awarded The Marsh Charitable Trust Award for Volunteering. This prestigious national award recognises groups who have worked together to make a significant difference to conserving the Arts and Culture in their local area. The group was chosen from over a hundred nominations across The Arts Society nationally. The entrants were judged by a panel drawn from both The Arts Society and The Marsh Charitable Trust.
This small team of volunteers has worked at St. Mary’s Lydiard Tregoze since 2014. The team’s contribution enabled the church to extend its regular opening hours to visitors by providing friendly and knowledgeable guides. Along with the Friends of Lydiard Park they became part of a successful grant application to the National Heritage Lottery Fund, leading to a wonderful £1 million conservation project that involved international conservators and artists in residence.
The team continues to enjoy learning about the wall paintings and monuments in this very special church and using this knowledge to help the people who come to St Mary’s from across the globe get the most out of their visit.
Sue Gray, Chair of Kennet and Swindon Arts Society said:
“We are all absolutely thrilled that our team of Heritage Volunteers at St Mary’s Church, have won The Marsh Charitable Trust Award for Volunteering. It is a fascinating building to work in and we are always learning something new. If you would like to get involved in volunteering at Lydiard do get in touch.” For more from Sue Gray see her Friend of the Month article.
The Arts Society Kennet & Swindon holds illustrated lectures given by top class lecturers on all sorts of topics related to the Arts and art history, every month at The Ellendune Community Centre in Wroughton, SN4 9LW. There next meeting is at 11am on 11th April when there will be a display in the hall about St Mary’s and other Heritage Volunteering opportunities and you are welcome to come along to find out more.