Book celebrating Northamptonshire’s treasures has raised £2,000 for Campaign to Protect Rural England

Northamptonshire County Council presented CPRE Northamptonshire with a cheque for £2,000, which is a proportion of the profits raised from the Icons of Northamptonshire book sales since it was launched in October 2014.

Icons of Northamptonshire was published jointly by the CPRE and Northamptonshire County Council in October 2014.

In the book 70 contributors - including broadcaster Sir Terry Wogan, explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, and parish priest Richard Coles – pay homage to their favourite iconic places, buildings and events in the county.

Broadcaster Sir Terry Wogan writes about the Express Lifts Tower, the landmark he dubbed the Northampton Lighthouse, while Sir Ranulph Fiennes writes about Ashby St Ledgers and its links to the Gunpowder Plot.

A proportion of the profits from the book sales have now been donated to the CPRE.

Councillor Jim Harker, Leader of the county council, said: “This is a wonderful record of the many, many things for which the county is renowned and I’m delighted that they have been brought together is this compilation.

“One of the attractions of the county is that we have so many unheralded treasures that many people feel a genuine sense of discovery when they encounter what we have to offer.

“I take terrific pride in being Northamptonshire born and bred and I feel this volume is a fitting tribute to our wonderful county.”

Sir Paul Hayter, chairman of CPRE Northamptonshire and editor of the book, received the cheque and said the sale proceeds of the book will support CPRE’s work to protect its countryside.

Other entries in the book include the Revd Richard Coles writing about St Peter’s church, Lowick; Lady Heseltine explaining the history of her 18th century Georgian home, Thenford House and the Lord-Lieutenant of the county, David Laing, writes about a skateboard alley in Corby.

The book is on sale in Northamptonshire’s county libraries, priced at £17.50.