Ledbury Methodists are on the move, with the sale this week of their rambling Victorian church on the Homend.

The last service will be on August 4, and then the 30-strong congregation will meet in The Burgage Hall, from August 18.

Before then, Ledbury people will have an opportunity to visit the church, which is too large for the present-day congregation and has a damp problem.

On Saturday August 3, the Homend building will be open from 10am to 12pm "to allow members of the public to take a final look around".

Former members and anyone who was married or christened at the church will be particularly welcome, and refreshments will be served.

Superintendent Minister Revd Phil Warrey said the move to the Burgage Hall for services should not be a permanent arrangement.

He said: “We hope that soon we will be able to find somewhere suitable to purchase in Ledbury that will become our new permanent home for worship, lunch club, family film mornings and as a place of welcome and quiet space.

“Our church on the Homend is a grand old Victorian building but it no longer serves the needs of our congregation. It was built for a different age and for different needs.”

Ledbury Methodists are to leave the Homend building next month having sold the Victorian property to seek somewhere more suitable.

The Reporter understands that the church, which dates back to 1849, went on the market for £250,000. The identity of the buyer is yet to be made public.

Ledbury Methodist Church had been for sale since January 2018.

The move follows a decision made by church members some two years ago. In the short term, the church will be worshipping on Sunday mornings at the Burgage Hall and occasionally at St Katherine’s Chapel.

The monthly lunch clubs will continue but move to Ledbury Cricket Club. Family Film Club is on hold until the autumn and a new venue will be announced on the church’s Facebook page.

The church's ageing congregation has been falling in recent years, and now stands at around 30 to 40 people.

Mr Warrey said: "I have mixed feelings about moving; there is some sadness, but there is also excitement. I would not say sadness is the main emotion. The damp was the last straw - but in fact the damp's been here since around 1890!"

Concerning the search for new permanent premises, Mr Warrey said: "We have lots of ideas, but nothing is certain. We are exploring our options.

"We can stay in The Burgage Hall for as long as we like, and of course the Burgage Hall was a Congregational Chapel.

"It's exciting to think it will be used again as a place of worship."