Special jubilee edition of classic Round Tower Guide published

A new edition of the classic handy guide to round tower churches has just been published.

Members can obtain copies of the 28-page booklet, which has been produced to mark the golden jubilee of the Round Tower Churches Society at a discounted price of £3 (or £4 posted).

New members, who join the Society, will also receive a free copy – and this offer will run until the end of the 2023 golden jubilee year or until stocks are exhausted.

While the first edition was produced by the Society’s founder Bill Goode, an authority on church architecture, the late Stephen Hart, undertook a major revision in 2010 with a 20-page booklet.

As all copies had been sold, it was decided to produce a golden jubilee edition with further additions and some minor amendments to Mr Hart’s original text and maps showing the locations of churches in Norfolk and Suffolk.

The 28-page guide also includes the two churches in Berkshire and two in Sussex plus the locations and Postcodes of all round towers in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex.

A heavy-duty cover, laminated, featuring St Peter, Forncett, will also ensure that the handy guide has a long life as readers can plan visits to churches across the eastern and south-west eastern corner of England.

The back cover features St Peter, Spexhall. Other full page photographs include St Mary, Fishley, and another St Mary, Wortham, near Diss.

The origins of the Society and a brief biography of the founder, Bill Goode, are also included in the latest edition.

The guide was revised by the Society’s vice-chairman, Michael Pollitt, who is also editor of the quarterly magazine, The Round Tower, with graphic support from Annette Hudson.

To obtain copies, please contact the Society’s membership secretary, Nick Wiggin, of Fir Tree Cottage, Witnesham, Ipswich, Suffolk IP6 9EX, enclosing a cheque for £4 (to include postage).

Or apply online – email nickwiggin@hotmail.com and pay £4 to the Society’s bank – Round Tower Churches Society, sort code 53 81 16, account 04331915 (yourname/booklet).

Copies will also be available at future Society events including the October 22 study day/ conference.

The guide can also be obtained from City Books, Norwich, £5.