WHAT may well be the most crucial period in the modern history of Lydiard House and Park has begun.

Had it not been for the efforts of pressure group the Friends of Lydiard, this exquisite local treasure would already be on the way to being hived off to the private sector.

Its fate should that eventually happen is impossible to predict. Other, less precious, local amenities have already been consigned in this way and the results have been inconsistent to say the least.

However, the fate of Lydiard still hangs in the balance. The Friends, an organisation made up of passionate volunteers, have been given just 90 days or so to deliver a viable plan for the future of the attraction, one which will both safeguard it and be financially viable.

The organisation’s tireless chairman, Mike Bowden, stoutly pledges victory and hails the Friends’ solution as the best for Lydiard and for the people of Swindon, 10,000 of whom have signed a petition in favour of the Friends’ cause.

We wish the Friends nothing but success, but as far as we can tell, the best way of ensuring that success will be through even more people power.

Anybody who believes this local jewel should remain in the hands of the people to whom it truly belongs should do their utmost to help with the cause.

If the Friends call for assistance, or for pledges of future assistance, the response must be overwhelming.

In addition, nobody should feel shy about contacting the council to make their views known.

Every letter and email counts. The decision-makers must be left in no doubt as to the depth of the horror with which any move to hand Lydiard to outside agencies would be greeted.