wilderness LECTURES

In Pursuit of Wilderness

Guy Grieve - 23/01/2019 19:30

Guy’s talk will tell us the detail of his amazing journeys, with and without his family, and the philosophy that motivates his incredible travels. His talk will focus on the importance of Wilderness to humanity. That without wild places we lose our connection, which grows fainter every decade, to our planet and to meaning. Added to this we lose true wealth when we lose or fail to properly protect wild places. Yet is it possible to live and continue within a capitalist model whilst keeping wild places wild?
He will examine whether we can create wealth and employment within wild places? Can wilderness and prosperity exist side by side?
Who are the enemies of Wilderness? And how can they be countered? And what would a world without any true wilderness be like?

The Gift of Experiences - Breaking the World Record Solo rowing the Atlantic (and more)

Kiko Matthews - 06/02/2019 19:30

Kiko talks about her journey from a child through to the record achievement. How does someone who has never rowed, or been to sea before (and sixth months prior to leaving has her second brain tumour removed) achieve a world record? Kiko believes anyone can do it and her talk is about this, becoming resilient, being happy and the eternal search for Mr Right!

Bonington: Mountaineer. THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT

Chris Bonington CVO, CBE, DL - 20/02/2019 19:30

This will be an evening with a difference. Sir Chris will introduce Keith Partridge's film Bonington: Mountaineer and then offer himself up to questions from the audience. The film looks retrospectively from Chris' rock climbing days in the UK through to visionary ascents on the high peaks of the Himalaya and shares the remarkable and poignant life of one of the world’s best-known mountaineers. Stories of friendship, love, risk and devastating loss run deep through this intimate journey of one man’s dream. The drive for exploration is echoed in the first British ascent of the north wall of the Eiger, new routes on Mont Blanc, the ascent
of͚ The Old Man of Hoy and then to the greater ranges where he is the first to stand on the virgin summits of Annapurna 2, Nuptse and the Central Tower of Paine, followed by landmark expedition success on the South Face of Annapurna and Everest South West face. In the film he stares toward the Old Man of Hoy, that iconic stack of Orkney sandstone, towering high above the pounding North Atlantic surf, proud yet defiant. To climb it at the age of 80 is an almost crushing prospect and a time to reflect on a lifetime of epic expeditions and first ascents on some of the world’s most challenging mountains. Rain, driven by a relentless wind, hits his face concealing tears of grief and recent events overwhelm him. He remembers being the first to set foot on the top of this pillar of rock, 50 long years ago when he had youth on his side. As both pioneer and adventurer it beckons him again. In
search of catharsis once more, he ponders if he has the strength to stand upon the Old Man just one more time...