CHURCH-GOERS in Steeple Ashton near Trowbridge have been thanked for their patience while talks take place about the future of their parish vicar.

The Reverend Oliver Learmont has been absent for the past six months, leaving the churches in his three parishes without a full-time clergyman.

Father Learmont took sick leave before being subjected to an Episcopal Pastoral Enquiry last year conducted by retired Anglican Bishop Tim Thornton but the results have not yet been published.

Now Dr Sue Groom, the Venerable Archdeacon for Wiltshire, has thanked parishioners at St Mary the Virgin Church in Steeple Ashton for their patience.

Wiltshire Times: St Mary the Virgin Church in Steeple Ashton. Photo: Trevor Porter 76861-1St Mary the Virgin Church in Steeple Ashton. Photo: Trevor Porter 76861-1 (Image: Trevor Porter 76861-1)

At a church service on Sunday, March 17, she read out a message from the Bishop of Salisbury, the Right Reverend Stephen Lake, and the Bishop of Ramsbury, the Right Reverend Dr Andrew Rumsey.​

They said: “We would like to thank church members for their patience whilst we discuss with Father Oliver the future of his ministry, following last year’s Pastoral Enquiry.

“We recognise and regret the difficulties that a prolonged period of uncertainty causes in the Benefice and are grateful to Archdeacon Sue and local colleagues for their continued involvement.

“We hope to offer a fuller communication before long and assure you of our prayerful support during this holy season.”

Wiltshire Times: The plastic sheet now covering Father Oliver Learmont’s vicarage gate. Image: Trevor Porter 76883-1The plastic sheet now covering Father Oliver Learmont’s vicarage gate. Image: Trevor Porter 76883-1 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Father Learmont’s benefice covers the three churches of St Mary the Virgin in Steeple Ashton, St Nicholas’s in North Bradley and St Thomas in Southwick.

But he is reportedly not popular with members of the Steeple Ashton Parochial Church Council calling for him to resign in June following a vote of no confidence.

The church lost its last remaining churchwarden, Michael Moore, who quit after Father Learmont refused to step down.

The St Mary's choir also refused to sing and has also lost its church organist and floral display volunteers because of his behaviour, it is claimed.

Wiltshire Times: One of Father Oliver Learmont's two Romanian rescue digs, known locally as 'Horrible Hector'. Image: Trevor Porter 70545-3One of Father Oliver Learmont's two Romanian rescue digs, known locally as 'Horrible Hector'. Image: Trevor Porter 70545-3 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Father Learmont has refused to step down, saying he is being ‘guided by the Holy Spirit’, and says he won’t give in to ultimatums.

At his North Bradley home, he has draped a plastic sheet over his garden gate to prevent his Romanian rescue dogs from attacking pets being walked by their owners after incidents.

Wiltshire Council said it has received three complaints about the vicar's dogs and has launched an investigation into the latest incident in February.

Father Learmont has been contacted for comment.