Two free exhibitions are being held at The Athenæum Warminster to coincide with Imberbus day.
The small, isolated Imber village or ‘the lost village’ located on Salisbury Plain was once home to a few hundred villagers – now little else but the church, a couple of cottages and a vicarage remain. In 1943, residents were forced out of their homes with 41 days’ notice.
‘Imber: The Ghost Village – A walk through the past’ shows a selection of the historical maps and information from the archives. Alongside, personal family memories through photography. It is respectfully dedicated to the families and relatives of the people of Imber.
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‘Imberbus – A history of British bus transport’ explores the people and history of the Imber Bus event. Showcasing a selection of photographs taken since 2009. Both exhibitions are open to the public from 16th to 23rd August (Monday to Friday 10.30am to 1pm. Saturday 10.30am to 4pm. Closed Sunday).
Jennifer Arthur, Athenaeum Trustee, who curated the exhibitions, said: “Last year, I rode the buses across the Salisbury Plains and it was such a wonderful day. Having grown up in London, the old Route Masters brought back so many childhood memories.
“However, there is a bittersweet feeling around this event. Imber Village itself, the yearning to return home is a sentiment many of us can relate to and is still a very controversial subject for many local people. I really wanted to highlight that Imber once was a lovely Wiltshire community. To really put some faces and stories behind the ghost village. To remind us all that it still is very much remembered and loved.”
Warminster Library is also hosting an exhibition featuring cartoons of Imberbus and the places it serves from Monday 12th August to Saturday 24th August.
On Saturday 17th August up to 40 old and new Routemaster buses, (plus a few guest vehicles) will operate from Warminster to Imber and other points on Salisbury Plain. As with previous years, buses will be running from outside Warminster railway station.
For more information on Imberbus 2024 visit: imberbus.org/. For more information about The Athenæum Warminster visit: theath.co.uk/
Last modified: 16 August 2024
