IMBER . WILTS . ST GILES – Graffiti and Apotropaic Symbols

Published on by Rolling Harbour

ST GILES . IMBER . WILTS

A lost village with a sad backstory. Once it was a remote small community in the centre of the vast acres of Salisbury Plain, with pretty cottages and a fine church. It was already a huge military training area before WW2 and the decision was made to evict the populace. As the record states: Given nowhere else to go, Imber’s villagers were ‘liberated’ of their homes in 1943, with just 47 days notice, to make way for American troops to train for the liberation of Europe during World War II. 

The displaced population believed – or were led to believe – that in due course they would be able to return to their homes and to normality, but they were not permitted to go back. The cottages were replaced by large buildings to create battle scenarios. Only the Church of St Giles was left alone. You can read more HERE

DIALS

For obvious reasons, access is permitted on only a few specific days of the year. I recently visited on an Open Day, not least because I had found a clear record of two scratch dials. There aren’t any. However there is a wonderful collection of church marks of all types. Much of the trove is in inaccessible parts of the church.

GRAFFITI AND APOTROPAIC SYMBOLS IN THE PORCH

In the time available I briefly examined the porch. Shown below is an illustrative selection (by an amateur) from a far wider choice; I hope to return the Church. Meanwhile here are the key references for further exposition.

Wiltshire Medieval Graffiti Survey – General

Wiltshire Medieval Graffiti Survey – St Giles

Imber Village – account of the village history

In a different light (2024) – a clear, authoritative new book by Tony Hack of WMGS with excellent photography and detailed overlays

ST GILES IMBER: THE PORCH

4 thoughts on “IMBER . WILTS . ST GILES – Graffiti and Apotropaic Symbols”

      1. Hi – we are also collecting images of Dials / Graffiti/ Fonts mainly of Dorset Churches

        Pls advise the source that gave a clear record of two Dials & expand on the reference: inaccessible parts of the church. Reason being we could add the sites to our list and be better informed when visiting St Giles

        Every success Graham

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  2. Source is in the British Sundial Society records, dated 1995, and not updated since then until now. Not the first unreliable record from that era. Can you email me and I can send the 2 records.

    The Wiltshire Medieval Graffiti Survey team had a stand inside the church, inc new book specifically about Imber graffiti. As you prob know, Imber access is strictly MoD controlled and only possible about 10 days a year. The important graffiti is ‘upstairs’ not in the nave, and not accessible to the public. Maybe mentioning your research project would make a difference, but not on an Open Day (as my visit was).

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