Icons of England competition
In December last year, we asked people to write about something special about the English countryside which we would publish in our new book Icons of England. Thank you so much to everyone for taking part, we had a terrific response with 250 entries, all of a very high standard making the judging all the more difficult. Our judging panel thoroughly enjoyed reading all the entries; they were incredibly diverse, emotive and thought provoking.
Winning entry on Devon lanes
We are pleased to announce the winning entry is from Mary Smith from Leighton Buzzard. Her essay Devon Lanes, takes us on a walk down the same rural lanes of south Devon that she used to walk with her brother and parents some 50 years ago. Congratulations to Mary who will now see her essay published in a new and updated paperback version of Icons of England later this spring.
Her essay will be published alongside an unprecedented line up of award winning authors, journalists, photographers and filmmakers that include Bill Bryson, Dan Cruickshank, Julia Bradbury, Kevin Spacey, Jonathan Dimbleby, Eric Clapton and Libby Purves.
Bill Bryson, President of the Campaign to Protect Rural England said: 
There are 100 thought provoking contributions from well known authors, journalists and actors, each one celebrating the beautiful English countryside. This book is as poignant and surprising as it is wonderful – one that celebrates the experience of being in and enjoying the countryside as much as it does historic monuments and locations. There are a number of honest and refreshing anecdotes and memories that make this anthology of the English countryside outstanding.
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