On this day in 1993, our founder, Ivor Bulmer-Thomas died. Just days before, he was working on the repair of our church at Sutterby. A proud Welshman, Ivor changed the fate of churches in England and Wales, and it’s a privilege to continue his work.

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Ivor Bulmer-Thomas (30 November 1905 – 7 October 1993) was a man of prodigious energy and gifts. Through his life he worked as a journalist, politician, athlete and writer.

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He wrote for and edited The Times, News Chronicle and Daily Telegraph, he had a successful career with all three major political parties and narrowly missed being chosen for the 1928 Olympics.

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He could speak six languages and authored seven books on subjects ranging from the history of Greek mathematics to a biography of Lord Gladstone.

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When it came to historic churches, Ivor was resolute and sure of his purpose. He fought to have St Andrew’s-by-the-Wardrobe in the City of London rebuilt following severe bomb damage in the Second World War.

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Ivor persuaded the Church of England to introduce the Quinquennial Inspection Measure, stipulating that each church should be thoroughly inspected every five years. This modest Measure has prevented many a repair crisis.

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From the 1950s, he started campaigning for protection for redundant churches, and with a group of like-minded friends, set up the Friends of Friendless Churches in 1957.

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Ivor saved countless historic churches – hopeless cases, lost causes – from ruin, neglect and demolition.

Thank you, Ivor.

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