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Video: Chris Cooper camps
out in the churchyard

by Thom Morris

Dressed in the colour of mourning and sitting in a four-man
tent, Chris Cooper says he plans to stay camped out in St Mary’s
churchyard until a public inquiry is held into the £1.7 million
alterations to the interior of the church.

The resolute bell-ringer, who lives in the Church Yard, Ashford,
is equipped with food and water and has friends and neighbours
bringing him warm drinks.

He set up camp among the gravestones opposite the Hair Academy
early on Monday morning.

The 31-year-old said: “I’m on a protest here under article 11 of
the Human Rights Act.

"The works have been approved by the church courts but this is
£1.2 million of the taxpayers' money which just isn’t justifiable
when the town court is threatened with closure, the tourist
information board could be going and we’ve got defense cuts
recently announced.”

The clerical assistant has had numerous appeals against the work
to turn the church into a community arts venue refused and now
faces legal costs after his last-ditched appeal to church leaders
failed. He may have to sell his house to cover the costs.

He continued: “This £1.2 million seems to have just found its
way in the Church of England’s pocket without being audited. Is
that really good sense in the current climate?

"I’m here until there’s a public inquiry launched. I’ll stay
here for as long as possible and I’m quite happy to sit here
peacefully to stand up for this beautiful church.”

Mr Cooper, who is wearing an old choirmaster's gown to keep
warm, says he has a book of Anglican Communion Matins which he will
be reading and also plans to hold evening prayer.

Work on St Mary’s church is due to start next week after Mr
Cooper’s objections were dismissed by the church courts.

Culture boss at ABC Bernard Heyes said: “Mr Cooper has used
every legal avenue available to stop the re-ordering of St Mary’s
and his arguments have been formally rejected on every
occasion."

Permission for the changes to turn it into a music and arts
venue for up to 350 people were given the go-ahead in June, but
work has been put off while objections were considered by church
leaders.

Reverend Colin Preece said: “St Mary’s is, and should always be,
a shared sacred space for both religious and secular visitors.

“This work will not only safeguard the future of this ancient
building, but will also bring many more people from all walks of
life through its doors."