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Northamptonshire Stone by D.S Sutherland (The Dovecote Press
2003, price £12.95) is a must for anyone interested in Helmdon
Stone. Edward Parry, who lived in the village over thirty years ago,
researched the subject for Northamptonshire Past and Present
(vol.VII, 1986-7, no.4) and wrote a shortened article for Aspects
of Helmdon no.4, and some of his research has been used in this
book. However, Northamptonshire Stone is for someone who would
like to put Helmdon stone into the context of the county geology.
Although geologically Northamptonshire's Jurassic rocks have a different
character varying from fossil-rich limestone, sandstone, and warm
rust-coloured ironstone, geologically they are an extension of the
Cotswolds. Helmdon's stone is shelly oyster limestone, and illustrations
in the book include a map showing Helmdon's importance as a building
stone of Northamptonshire, a picture of the Manor House in Cross Lane,
with its Helmdon rubblestone and dressed stone doorcase, and our important
church window depicting a medieval stonemason at work. |