Debut novel is a tale of clerical double standards

sawilliams@thekmgroup.co.uk A man who grew up in Ashford has released his first novel about his experiences working for the Church of England in the 1990s.

Unholy Orders is the first book by former Ashfordian Roger Bishop, who worked in the administrative headquarters of Church House, Westminster, as a technical services manager for around seven years.

The book follows protagonist Richard Walker who lands himself a job within the church only to discover hypocrisy and double standards within.

Mr Bishop said: “Although a novel, Unholy Orders is based upon real people and events that actually occurred, and reveals some very interesting insights into the workings of the established church.

“To protect the innocent as well as the guilty, I decided to make it a novel instead of a memoir.”

Mr Bishop, 64, grew up in the Ashford area, moving from South Ashford to Willesborough before settling in Woodchurch.

He attended Stanhope Primary School and the Duncan Bowen Secondary school, now The John Wallis Academy.

Although the novel is based around the headquarters in London, many local villages as well as Ashford itself are mentioned in the story.

Mr Bishop, who has three daughters, moved to Ireland in 2002 and now lives in the county of Wexford with his parrot Frankie, and his German pointer Frodo, where he likes to write.

Ashford still holds a soft spot in Mr Bishop’s heart however, as his sister and two nieces still live in the area.

The author is already working on his next project, entitled Unorthodox Art, a novel based on how the Nazis looted artwork during the Second World War.

Unholy Orders, which has been released with Thames River Press of London, is available to buy on Amazon.

Roger Bishop has written his debut novel, Unholy Orders