Books
The Volta Tower is featured in a number of books, many of which are now out of print and consequently harder to get hold of. Here are a few of those that are known of.
Curiosities of Town and Countryside by Edmund Vale
Published in 1940, this lovely little book provides information on a range of unusual follies and structures in Britain including of course the Volta Tower. A rare photo of the back of the tower is provided between pages 128 and 129 (image 73), with information about the tower on page 129.
The Pageant of Finedon by Reginald Underwood
Published in 1943 and quite a 'gem' to any proud Finedonian; this book is very rare and valuable. The Volta Tower is featured on page 80 of this book with a nice black and white photo on the adjacent page.
Finedon Otherwise Thingdon by John L.H. Bailey
Published in 1975, this is the first book on Finedon by our historian John Bailey and is a comprehensive history of Finedon with a number of images included, including two in which the Volta Tower appears.
Midland Line Memories by Brian Radford
Published in 1983, this book "seeks to recapture the spirit and flavour of the Midland Railway Company line in times gone by". The book focuses on the bygone times of railways throughout the country and covers the old station at Finedon alongside a photo of the station and signal box, on page 86 of the book. Also on the page is a brief overview of Finedon, and a brief description of the Volta Tower which is described as if still existent. "The building now serves as a farm" - clearly not a great amount of research went into the bit about Finedon!
Finedon Revealed by John L.H. Bailey
Published in 1986 and one of my personal favourites, this book provides a history of Finedon supported with almost 250 black and white photographs. A must have for any Finedonian, and the Volta Tower is featured rather aptly on the front cover, and images 75-80 inside the book are also all related.
Look at Finedon by John L.H. Bailey
Published in 2004, this book is similar to Finedon Revealed in how it is like a photograph album with history, containing over 300 photographs. Another must-have for any Finedonian. The Volta Tower is featured in images 76-80 in this book.
Lost Victorian Britain by Gavin Stamp
Published in 2010, I personally assisted Mr. Gavin Stamp in completing this marvellous piece of work. This self-explanatory titled book gives an account and details of the buildings and architecture of the Victorian era which has since been lost. I was contacted by Gavin during the time I was spreading the word of the Volta Tower on Facebook and was asked about the tower and if I had any photos. I henceforth provided him with a photo of the tower and relevant information. The Volta Tower is the final part of the book concluding this lovely piece of work with the photo I provided showing the tower from the north-west angle, which is featured on this website. I am credited in the acknowledgements of this book.