The village and its church have a sense of self-importance about them that must come from more than being an outer suburb of Stowmarket. In the case of the church, it probably arises from the combination of the beautiful Decorated windows, and a staunchly Anglican late 19th century restoration. There is no clerestory, but you can see how this period created an impression of substance and significance.

Beautiful windows create a sense of grandness. (Photo by Alan Thurkettle).

There are features of interest, surviving, however; I'm particularly fond of the gallery from earlier in that century; the seating is organised for children, boys on one side and girls on the other. There are also places for Master and Mistress. Unusually, the location of a nave altar is revealed, not by a piscina, but by a surviving sedilia.

Arthur Mee, an enthusiast if ever there was one, rather damns Old Newton with faint praise in his splendidly quaint Kings England: Suffolk of 1941. Forced into a perusal of the registers to find something interesting to say, he homes in on John Mole, the son of a farm labourer, who was baptised here in 1743. He 'astonished his friends with his marvellous calculating powers', and went on to write two books about algebra. Mee also tracks down John Bridges, who was a vicar's son in the 19th century, and is 'best remembered as one of the leaders of the modern system of philosophy called Positivism'.

Stepping back outside, the early 14th century tower is plain in proportion, but its detailing is excellent. Old Newton has no connection with Newton on the outskirts of Sudbury, twenty miles away. As a cyclist, my main impression of the village is quite how hilly it is.

St Mary, Old Newton, is located in the Gipping valley to the east of the village, which is on the B1113 Stowmarket to Rickinghall road. I found it locked, with a nearby keyholder.