Four people, including a retired Church of England vicar, have pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated trespass and refusing to leave Bath Abbey, following a Christian Climate Action protest in September.

Rev Bill White, 71, from Macclesfield, appeared via video link at Bath Magistrates Court, while the other defendants Stephen Pritchard, 66, a former Parish Councillor from Radstock; Emma Ireland, 41, a mental health worker from Bristol; and Kate Chesterman, 60, a retired university worker from Kent, appeared in person.

The charges related to an incident on 13th September 2025, when activisits unfirled a four-metre banner reading “Don’t Crucify Creation” from the Abbey’s tower. Protestors were urging the Church of England to “take radical and urgent action in the face of the Climate and Nature Emergency, including speaking out unapologetically against the powers that are causing climate change.”

CCA describe their action as "peaceful", saying that the four simply sat on the Abbey's tower, asking to speak to the Bishop of Bath and Wells.

Outside the Magistrates Court, a group of 30 supporters held a prayer vigil. 

After the hearing, Rev Bill White said: “It is not in the public interest to prosecute the truth tellers, the prophets of our time.

The Church is failing to tell the truth about climate breakdown and its impact on all of us. The Abbey was more interested in keeping its tours running than in being a place of worship and in hearing our message.”

When entering his plea, Stephen Pritchard said: “I want to be judged by the morality of my actions, not by the legality of my actions.”

Two days before the initial court hearing, members of Christian Climate Action met with Bishop Michael, who told them he would read their Stop Crucifying Creation meanifesto. 

A case management hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, 14th January at Bath Magistrates Court.