A book covering almost every aspect of the Lake District’s culture and history has been named as the 2020 Lakeland Book of the Year.
The Lake District in 101 Maps and Infographics, by David Felton, Evelyn Sinclair and Andrew Chapman, was described as an increible book by head judge Hunter Davies.
The prize was awarded in an online ceremony for the first time in the awards’ 36-year history.
Coronavirus restrictions meant that the usual awards charity luncheon was unable to take place, but Hunter and fellow judges Cumbria Tourism president Eric Robson and broadcaster Fiona Armstrong were determined not to cancel the ceremony entirely and instead broadcasted the announcements online.
Author David said: “I was so pleased that Hunter, Fiona and Eric were able to find a way to make these awards happen, which play such a key role in the life of Cumbrian publishing. It has been a really tough few months for those of us working in the local book trade, and this was a really welcome boost for a book that I loved working on alongside illustrator Evelyn and designer Andrew.”
A special mention was also made to runner-up Slightly Perfect by John Cunliffe, who died earlier this year after entering his entertaining memoir of a life in hospitality, including his time at the Gilpin Hotel.
This year marks the 250th anniversary of William Wordsworth’s birth and also included for the first time a children’s poetry competition.
Judges Michael McGregor, director of the Wordsworth Trust and Ian Walker, deputy headteacher, of John Ruskin School, said they received an amazing range of poems from across the county, eventually deciding on three pieces of writing which they felt best reflected the theme of the loveliest spot – what Cumbria means to me. First place went to George Hathorn for The Rope Swing; second place was awarded to Grace Hill for My Loveliest Spot and third place was Eliza Hudson, with Dancing Grass.
The winners will receive a selection of vouchers from local Cumbrian attractions.
Winners
Lakeland Book of the Year 2020: The Lake District in 101 Maps and Infographics by David Felton, Evelyn Sinclair and Andrew Chapman; Runner-up — Slightly Perfect by John Cunliffe.
The Striding Edge Prize for Guides and Places: Grasmere: A History in 55 Buildings by Grasmere History Society;
The Bill Rollinson Prize for Landscape and Tradition: Hows and Knotts: A Guide to Lakeland Views by Guy Richardson;
The Latitude Press Prize for Illustration and Presentation: The Lake District in 101 Maps and Infographics by David Felton, Evelyn Sinclair and Andrew Chapman;
The Bookends Prize for Literature and Poetry: The Magpie’s Nest by Taffy Thomas;
People and Business: Slightly Perfect by John Cunliffe;
Fiction: Secrets of the Flock by J.B. Browne.
The Lakeland Book of the Year Awards are supported by Cumbria Community Foundation’s Hunter Davies Fund, Striding Edge, Bookends, the Bill Rollinson Award Association and Latitude Press Ltd.
