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Eighty years since families left 'ghost village' on Salisbury Plain

BBC A drone shot of St Giles Church in isolation on Salisbury PlainBBC
St Giles Church is the only remaining undamaged building in Imber

Eighty years has passed since families were evicted from a small village on Salisbury Plain.

In 1943, 150 people living in Imber were asked to move out so that the village could be turned into a military training area.

The letters were handed to villagers on 1 November 1943 and they had to leave their homes by 17 December.

The residents were promised they could return to their homes after the war - but that never happened.

The village is still occupied by the Ministry of Defence but the public are allowed in for a few days each year.

Roads are open through Imber from 08:00 GMT Friday 29 December 2023 to 08:00 GMT Tuesday 2 January 2024, during which time the church will open Friday to Monday 11am to 4pm.

PA Media Abandoned houses in the village of ImberPA Media
Residents were evicted from their houses in the village of Imber on Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, in 1943

Its Grade I listed St Giles Church is the only undamaged building still standing.

Church custodian Neil Skelton said the loved ones of former inhabitants still visit and a festival of carols was held at the church on Sunday 17 December.

"I think they all feel that there was an injustice done and feel that they should uphold the memory of Imber for those who have gone before them," he said.

Lord Peter Hendy of Richmond Hill and of Imber planted a Yew tree in the St Giles churchyard to remember former residents. For the last 15 years, he has run a charity bus service to Imber once a year.

"I think it is an extraordinary place and it's haunted by the ghosts of the people who used to live here and the ghosts of thousands of military people who've trained here," said Lord Peter Hendy.

"But when nobody else is here, this is a very quiet, peaceful part of Wiltshire."

Bratton Silver Band playing carols in the Church this weekend for 150 visitors
Bratton Silver Band playing carols in the Church for 150 visitors

Anne Lewis, from Totton, was at the carol service and has strong family ties to the area.

"Mum grew up here in Imber from the age of four and she was at least 14 [when they had to move]," said Mrs Lewis.

"[She lived] just down the bottom of the hill, below the church, and in a little cottage with her parents and siblings.

"So it's a thing we want to keep going in her memory."

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