Being a Tuesdasy I was once again joined by our resident historian, Margaret Mills to take a look at the history of aviation in Essex, but before that we headed off to Wiltshire.

How do you fancy visiting a village in Wiltshire you can only go to once a year?

Yes it’s all true.

So your only chance to visit the place this year will be on August 16th.

And the only way to get there is by taking the IMBERBUS from Warminster. Buses leave at 10-15 minute intervals between 9:30 am and 5pm with ticket prices costing £10 for adults and £2 for children. You cannot pre-book a seat so must either turn up and pay the conductor on the bus, or buy a ticket from the ticket booth outside Warminster Station on the day.

But visitors should note that there are almost no facilities, which means no shops, no permanent toilets, no electricity, and no phone signal.

The main attraction is the 13th century St Giles’ Church, which is the only building open to the public. All other buildings and areas are “strictly out of bounds to the general public”, with trespassers risking prosecution and even possible injury.

The village of IMBER is located on Salisbury Plain – but it wasn’t always like this but on 1st November 1943 the 150 residents were called to a meeting in the village schoolroom and given just 47 days notice of being forcibly removed from their homes so as to allow American troops to practice street fighting, which never in fact took place.

The real reason for the evacuation was the proximity to shell impact areas from MOD activity on Salisbury Plain.

Although tenancy agreements the residents had with the MOD, allowed the War Office to evict the residents if necessary, they had been told that they would be able to return to their homes in 6 months, but this was not to be.

In spite of substantial documentary evidence to support that promise, the Defence Lands Committee has continued to refuse demands by former residents to be allowed back.

For those keen to learn more about Imber’s history, there will be an exhibition in the Athaneum Theatre in Warminster, and an art exhibition in the Library.

In the second hour of today’s programme, I was joined by Margaret Mills to look at the early days of aviation in Essex and if you missed what Margaret had to say on this subject, you can listen again here: –

I very much look forward to the pleasurev of your company once again next week,
Scott