[Bell Historians] Imber yet again

[Neil Skelton]

Whilst the Chuch Commissioners have ratified the vesting of the church in
The Churches Conservation Trust the actual date of vesting has yet to be
set. It is anticipated that this will be towards the end of August.

In the meantime, the Diocese and English Heritage are funding emergency
repairs to the tower and south aisle. The Trust is putting in train a major
repair programme which it is anticipated will commence at the beginning of
September but only if the church is vested.

The church will not be open to the public during August. Further, it is very
unlikely that it will be available for the proposed Annual Service on 10th
September (same day as the RWRS). The vicar of Edington with Imber is not
keen on the idea of holding an open-air service on the MoD land below the
church. It has been suggested that the service be held at Edington but this
will probably be met with opposition from former villagers and their
relations. The Edington PCC is to consider the matter shortly.

What I can say (I've said it before) is that neither the Friends of Imber
Church nor the MoD currently have keys of the church. These are held at the
Diocesan Office in Salisbury and will not be issued to anyone other than the
contractors engaged on the building repairs. The Diocese has instructed the
MoD not to permit entry to the churchyard except for those wishing to
visit/tend family graves.

I'm sorry if all this sounds a bit officious but recent events surrounding
this church have dictated this stance. I am not prepared to go into detail,
not least because it would take up too much of my time. Imber church will be
open to the public again but probably not for at least two years. I would
hope that access to the tower can be arranged on one or other of the future
'Imber Days' when the Annual Service is held, usually on the 1st or 2nd
Saturday in September. I will keep the list posted.

Neil Skelton.

----- Original Message -----
From: "philholtsdgr" <pippolucas23 at ...>
To: <bellhistorians at yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, July 31, 2005 4:05 PM
Subject: [Bell Historians] Imber yet again


> Yesterday I visited the Friends of Imber stall at the West Wilts 2005
> show, and discovered that this year Imber will be open from 6-21 August
> only. However the church may not be accessible, because of restoration
> work underway. Neil Skelton can probably confirm if the church will be
> open, as the people manning the stall were uncertain.
> Phil Lucas
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