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continued....
Almost 60 years on and the pub, manor houses and cottages are little
more than shells. The buildings that are still intact have concrete
facades. Little is recognisable now except the ancient church of
St. Giles.
Although
the army has never owned the church or graveyard it does control
access to the site.
Once a year in September to celebrate the feast of St. Giles the
guns fall silent, security is lifted and civilains are allowed in
to visit relatives graves and attend a service.
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The buildings that are still intact have concrete
facades.
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But
with the issue of who should take responsibility for the maintenance
of the church in question even this one service a year is in jeopardy.
In
the 1950s the army informally agreed to keep the church wind and
watertight. This arrangement came to an end several years ago.
A lightning
strike three years ago, has compounded the problem, a roof pinnacle
now leans sharply and is threatening to plummet into the nave.
The
burden of restoring the church is falling squarely on the shoulders
of the small congregation of Edington which already has its own
ancient church to look after and is understandably baulking at having
to raise additional money for a church which is only used once a
year.
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Imber
- A ghost town
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With
funding in doubt, the solution was to start the process of declaring
the church redundant.
With
closure looming, the church's cause has been taken up by The Friends
of Imber Church.
This
new society dropping the lobby for the reinstatement of the entire
village is now fighting to save the church.
They
are hoping to raise enough money to restore the church and ensure
it is open for up to 54 times a year.
According
to the society's chairman John Syme:
"It's
a very important little church and has many memories for local people."
To
raise funds and awarness of the plight of the church at Imber the
society has organised a walk from Warminster to Imber followed by
a service at the church on Easter Sunday.
The roads through Imber on the Salisbury Plain will be open to the
general public during the Easter period. The Church of St Giles
and the Baptist Graveyard will also be open. The Friends of Imber
Church will be holding events within the building. For more information
please contact Councillor John Syme, The Chairman, Friends of Imber
Church on either 01985-846538 or via email cllrjsyme@westwiltshire.gov.uk.
Regards, John Syme
ghost Imber Imber Imber Imber story ghost
town ghost village ghosts
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Walk: From Warminster to Imber for a church service.
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