Congratulations to Jessie Hopkins age 14 from Haverhill who has won this year’s Suffolk Churches Ride and Stride photography competition, and a £75 book token.
She took the winning set of three photos while walking from Haverhill to Kedington, with her grandmother, as part of the annual Suffolk Churches Ride and Stride fundraising day. They were raising money for Suffolk Historic Churches Trust and the Old Independent Church in Haverhill.
“I enjoyed the walk with my nan to raise money, and taking pictures of the churches we visited. It was a lovely day but very warm!” said Jessie. “I am thrilled to win the set of photos prize.”
Over 500 churches were open to cyclists and walkers for the event and, to win the photography competition, the entrant had to submit a set of three photographs, taken on Ride and Stride Day 2023, Saturday 9thSeptember, comprising a feature in church or chapel, a photo of themselves taking part, plus their favourite photo of the day.
Jessie entered photos of the beautiful organ in the Old Independent United Reformed Church, in Haverhill, the sunlight coming through window at Kedington Church (her favourite photo), and one of her and her grandmother on their walk.
There is one further prize of £25 book token for an individual photo from a set of three, and that was won by Jean Macpherson from Felixstowe with her photo of the stained glass window at St Peter and St Paul church, in Old Felixstowe.
“It is St Felix and King Siebert window, which is appropriate for Suffolk churches as King Siegbert sent a message to the Duke of Burgundy to send someone to teach the Suffolk Saxons about Christianity and Felix was sent. Now we have the churches and Christianity widespread in Suffolk,” she explained. “I took part to raise money for the Trust and Old Felixstowe Parish (St Peter and St Paul, St Andrews and St Nicholas at the Ferry).”
To see a selection of the photographs entered into the competition CLICK HERE
The Suffolk Historic Churches Trust, gives grants for church buildings. Next year, Suffolk Churches Ride and Stride will be held on Saturday 14th September.