At the time I was there I was 99% certain that the aircraft was not operating under the IFR, hence my question.
If they sometimes do, then fair enough, I now know that and I guess that’s good for safety, however on this occasion, conditions were IMC and clearances for IFR were not being issued as far as I could ascertain.
This all comes down to the pilot as to whether or not they decide at the time that conditions are VMC and or if they will punch through because it’s “not that thick.”
As for the suggestion that at Point Ormond they are climbing and descending through IMC under VFR does sound somewhat concerning, if that is in fact taking place.