Plans afoot to save church

A NEWLY established group is working to bring Wamphray Parish Church under community ownership, as it prepares for the final ever service. It will close at the end of the month in line with a decision by the Church of Scotland, who will then sell off the building. However, there’s hope it can have a new lease of life. The Friends of Wamphray Church formed earlier this year with the aim of purchasing the 19th century building for continued community use, as well as to create tourism opportunities for the area. Their new website launched yesterday and offers an introduction and overview of their aims, stating: “We are a small steering group, applying to become a SCIO, with a broad range of expertise, interests and skills to contribute to this inspiring project. “We also have a growing community of interest – who will become members of Friends of Wamphray Church – who have deep roots and affection for Wamphray and can see a future role for this important site, offering the public the chance to share and experience it. “With all the other small, rural churches in Annandale already having been sold, Wamphray, with its unique, secluded and scenic location, is uniquely placed as the last remaining hilltop church in the area. “We believe it can remain a special place for life celebrations and events: weddings, funerals, services, community events, concerts, talks etcetera and as a base showcasing and interpreting the important history and heritage of the site and the surrounding ancient landscape, which has huge potential to be developed for walking and nature tourism.” Although it’s early days for the group, they already have the support of Galloway Fisheries Trust – who look after the Wamphray Water, along with Dumfries and Galloway Woodlands, and Dumfries and Galloway Council’s countryside team and archaeologist. Plans are in motion for a fundraising launch in the new year and members are hopeful that Wamphray will be another community ownership success story. They said: “There are many examples of inspirational community projects which are writing a new chapter for these much-loved buildings. “We are looking into various ways of generating income to secure the future of Wamphray Church, including a programme of events, and venue hire for life celebrations. We have been working with wedding celebrants to tap into their expertise around what couples are looking for in a venue for their special day and they have supported our belief that the romance, tranquillity, beauty and peace of Wamphray Glen makes it a perfect location.” Meanwhile, the final services at Wamphray Church, in its current incarnation as a Church of Scotland venue, will be held on Christmas Eve at 7 pm and Sunday December 28 at 10 am. Everyone is welcome to attend. For more information about the Friends of Wamphray Church visit: www.wamphraychurch.com