Tom Ambrose, a vicar from Trumpington, a parish on the edge of Cambridge,
could be ejected over his attempts to put modern loos in the 14th century church, a plan which has upset some parishioners who obviously have very strong and well controlled bowels.
The poor man faces an ecclesiastical tribunal, one of a few to have been held in the last century. His legal fees could cost the diocese £150,000, and if the case then goes to appeal, the amount could soar to £500,000 between the two sides.
It seems the row over the loos was the final straw by parishioners, who were also outraged when the vicar removed four rows of pews so that worshippers would have an area to chat and drink coffee after services.
There were also rows over installing heating in the church and the timing of the harvest supper which led members of the congregation to demand that the Bishop of Ely hold the tribunal because of a “pastoral breakdown”. The vicar said forlornly:
“Everything I have tried to do since I have arrived, these people have said ‘no’ to just for the sake of being awkward” .
He does have many supporters too, but it seems ludicrous that an issue like this is considered serious enough for an ecclesiastical tribunal.
It’s a pity the Rev Ambrose did not consider those immortal words of Rupert Brooke from his poem, The Old Vicarage, Grantchester, before moving to Trumpington, It warned:
“At Over they fling oaths at one,
And worse than oaths at Trumpington…”
Which reminds, it is time to make an overdue visit to Grantchester and its Orchard Tearooms, where one sits carefree in deckchairs; it is unique and one of my favourite places in the area.
I’m not saying it would be easy (or maybe not even possible), but one wonders if he couldn’t have engaged these parishioners more successfully in any changes. What is at the heart of their resistance?
Heather, I have no idea, one gets the impression that are some of the parishoners are totally opposed to any changes being made. How would they cope with a woman vicar, I wonder.
I have sympathy with the parishioners. Help is only help when it’s needed, they obviously like and cherish their old church. So if they like it, why change it? If he helped an old parishioner across the road when she didn’t want to go, you’d all understand.
I’m with the parishioners on this one: although many CofE vicars take very seriously their co-role as guardian/ protector of some of our country’s finest architectural/ cultural heritage, there are many who strike one as cultural marxists, determined to rub out anything that smacks of the ‘old’ or appeals to traditionalists. They like nothing more than to rip out centuries-old pews, deface medieval stonework with ugly ramps and plumbing, install ugly modern signage and ‘exhibition areas’ more suitable for an infants school than a church _ all in the name of inclusiveness. Such vicars should be restricted to the brick-and-block sheds that pass for modern churches these days and the medieval churches given only to those who will love and cherish them and who appreciate the very special place they have in the hearts of their parishioners.
Sounds like something out of “The Archers”!
One day my husband and I had dinner in a restaurant in a charming village in the Auvergne. It must have been in February or March so it was dark outside. At some stage I asked where the loo was. The waiter who was the cook took me to the backdoor, opened it wide and said “Partout ( everywhere ), Madame”.