Lakeland Book of the Year 2022 winners revealed at Stonecross Manor

Panic as Man Burns Crumpets by Cumbrian author Roger Lytollis scooped the top prize at a charity awards ceremony at the Stonecross Manor in Kendal.

Roger, whose book was chosen from over 50 entries, was celebrated as the overall victor alongside five other category winners at a charity event in support of Women’s Community Matters.

The judges - author and columnist Hunter Davies OBE, broadcaster and former Cumbria Tourism Chairman Eric Robson and BBC newscaster and author Fiona Armstrong - entertained more than 80 attendees as they discussed the finalists before celebrating the winners.

Following the announcement, Roger, whose book looks back over his Cumbrian newspaper career, said: “Looking at some of the books that have won over the years it's an absolute privilege to be shortlisted and to win the overall award is a dream come true, so I’m very grateful to the judges and everyone involved.

L-R: Judge Eric Robson, Fiona Armstrong, Roger Lytollis, Hunter Davies (Image: Cumbria Tourism)

"Winning the award is a great opportunity to raise awareness of the struggles that local journalism faces, especially over the last 10 years. I hope the people of Cumbria will identify with the book as it portrays a lot of aspects of Cumbrian life.”

All the winners:

The Hunter Davies Lakeland Book of the Year 2022

Panic as Man Burns Crumpets by Roger Lytollis

The Bill Rollinson Prize for Landscape & Tradition

The Lucks of Cumbria by Andrew Musgrave

The Latitude Press Prize for Illustration & Presentation

Joss Naylor’s Lakes, Meres and Waters of the lake District by Vivienne Crow with Joss Naylor

The Bookends Prize for People & Business

Panic as Man Burns Crumpets by Roger Lytollis

The Wordsworth Prize for Literature & Poetry

Cumbria: A Book of Days by Dawn Robertson

The Striding Edge Prize for Guides & Places

Peak Bagging: Wainwrights by Karen & Dan Parker

The Gilpin Hotel Prize for Fiction

Brockenspectre by Caroline Moir

Cumbria Tourism's managing director Gill Haigh said: “The Lakeland Book of the Year Competition is an annual highlight in Cumbria’s events calendar and we send our warmest congratulations to all the winners.

“For me, they underline just why our county continues to inspire millions of visitors each year. I feel excited about the potential crossover into many other outstanding events across Cumbria and in turn to help share the high-quality writing with the greatest possible audience.“

This year's annual ceremony raised more than £700 in support of local charity Women’s Community Matters. The charity offers a variety of one-to-one support, courses, activities, support groups and access to specialist services for vulnerable women and girls aged 12 and over, and to young men/boys aged 12-19.