Four Christian climate activists, including a retired Church of England vicar, are to go on trial later this year following a protest at Bath Abbey.
The four activists during the protest on the roof of Bath Abbey | Photo provided
The Reverend William ‘Bill’ White, Stephen Pritchard, Emma Ireland and Katherine Chesterman first appeared before Bath magistrates on Wednesday 7th January each facing two charges, the first being that having trespassed at Bath Abbey on 13th September, they obstructed or disrupted tours by barricading themselves on the roof.
The second charge is aggravated trespass, with each of them accused of failing to leave the abbey as soon as practicable after being given a direction to do so.
A cordon was thrown around the abbey after members of Christian Climate Action climbed on to the roof as part of the launch of a campaign urging the Church of England to take radical and urgent action in the face of the climate and nature emergency.
The four hung a four-metre banner displaying the words ‘Don’t Crucify Creation’ from the bell tower.
At their court appearance last week, they each denied the two charges and indicated they do not want legal representation.
Supporters outside the court on Wednesday 7th January
They were back in court on Wednesday 14th January for a case management hearing with District Judge Lynne Matthews.
On both occasions, the Reverend White, 71, from Bollington near Macclesfield, appeared by video link.
Stephen Pritchard, 66, is a former parish councillor from Lower Whitelands, Radstock. Emma Ireland, 41, is a mental health worker from Hanover Street in Bristol, and 60-year-old Katherine Chesterman is a retired university worker from Lympne in Kent.
The banner in place on Bath Abbey | Photo © Jamie Bellinger
Around 30 people took part in a peaceful prayer vigil outside the building in North Parade Road last Wednesday. There were also supporters in the public gallery during the court appearances last week and this week.
At the hearing this week, the four indicated that their defence for their actions will be “necessity”.
The trial is scheduled to take place on 16th and 17th July at Bristol Magistrates’ Court before a District Judge.
Unconditional bail was extended for all of them until then.
