The incumbent and churchwardens petitioned for a faculty to excavate topsoil to a maximum depth of 12 inches in the area of a particular grave in the churchyard. They did so at the instigation of one Erica Gregory, who was part of a group who carried out investigations into the murder of children in the 1960s by Ian Brady and Myra Hindley. Mrs Gregory believed that a hessian bag might have been buried in the area of the grave by Brady in 1963 or 1964. Evidence from a witness sought to suggest that it contained the body of Keith Bennett, one of Brady's victims. Although the proposed works were unlikely to interfere with the remains which had (legitimately) been interred in the grave almost 200 years ago, in order to grant a faculty for the purpose sought, the chancellor would have to be satisfied that there was some legitimate purpose justifying the disturbance of a grave. It was not suggested by Mrs Gregory that Brady had buried the body of Keith Bennett in the grave; only that he might have buried a hessian bag there. Mrs Gregory's hope of finding a hessian bag which she believed was a link to Brady and Hindley – but which she conceded might longer be there – would not justify the grant of a faculty. Even if a hessian bag had been buried in the area of the grave, it was unknown whether it remained there 50 years later; in any event, it was not apparent what significance the finding of a hessian bag could have to any investigation. So far as the evidence of the witness was concerned, there were obvious contradictions between her two accounts of seeing activity near the grave in 1963 or 1964. The Greater Manchester Police had been given notice of the petition but had declined to comment; their unwillingness to support the petition was an important factor that the chancellor should take into account. The matters raised did not justify the excavation of the topsoil in the area of the grave and a faculty was refused. The petitioners were ordered to pay the costs. [Alexander McGregor]