Rickinghall author brings summer of church visits together for new book

A Rickinghall author has sought to bring some of Suffolk’s most interesting churches to life in a new book exploring their history.

Sarah Doig, 58, spent her summer visiting more than 70 churches to research her latest book -Churches of Suffolk.

“I’ve written three books for the publisher before, and 10 in total, with the latest being about churches in Suffolk,” she said.

“My father was a Church of England priest, so I’ve always been interested in churches and history, and it’s nice to write something in his memory.

“I haven’t always been an author, and spent 20 years working in the Foreign Office before reinventing myself as an author and public speaker.

“The enjoyment I get is mostly down to the fact I like enthusing people in the things I enjoy. I write in a way which is factual, but not academic, because I want to be accessible.”

Mrs Doig writes her books during the winter months, while making the most of the summer to tour the areas or churches she is writing about.

Last summer, she visited and photographed between 70 and 80 of Suffolk’s 450 or so churches, before narrowing down her favourite 50 to feature.

“The architecture is certainly interesting, but it’s also about the monuments within them and the people who are part of their history and the role they play in our communities.”

Churches of Suffolk, which retails for £15.99, is available from most high street book shops.

Mrs Doig will hold a book signing at Diss Publishing on Saturday, July 8, from 11am to 1pm.