Sonia Gandhi, nee Maino, (1946) is an Indian politician born in Lusiana, Veneto, Italy. She is the President of the Indian National Congress. She took over as party leader in 1998, seven years after her husband Rajiv Gandhi, a former Prime Minister of India and a descendant of Mahatma Gandhi), had been assassinated in 1991. She remained in office until 2017 when their son Rahul Gandhi became president. He resigned in 2019 and Sonia became president again. She is widely described as one of the most powerful politicians in the country and is often listed among the most powerful women in the world Veronica Michelle Bachet Jeria (b 1951) served as President of Chile from 2006-2010, and 2014-2018. She is the first woman to hold the Chilean presidency and the first female leader in South America. She is the first president of Chile to be elected since 1932. Rogoberta Menchu (b1959) is a K’iche Guatemalan human rights activist, feminist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. She has dedicated her life to publicizing the rights of Guatemala’s indigenous people. She founded the country’s first indigenous political party - Winaq. She is the first Maya Indigenous woman to ever run in a Guatemalan election. In 2007 and 2011 she was a candidate for the presidential election. She lost in the first round on both occasions but Winaq succeeded in becoming the first indigenous political party of Guatemala.

Information from Wikipedia about 9 great Asian leaders. Qin Shi Huang (259-210 BC) first emperor of unified China Genghis Khan (c1158-1227) - originally known as Temujin, founder of the Mongol Empire - often regarded to be one of the greatest conqueror of all time. Timur (1336-1405) - first ruler and founder of the Timurid Empire - an undefeated commander and regarded as one of the greatest military leaders and tacticians in history. patron of educational and religious institutions. Kublai Khan (1215 -1294) - founder and first emperor of the Yuan dynasty (1271-1294) - first non-Han emperor to unite all of China Babur (1483-1530), born Zahir ud-Din Muhammad. founder and first emperor of the Mughal dynasty (c 1526-30) in the Indian subcontinent- national hero in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Oda Nobunaga (1534- 1582) - regarded as the the first ‘Great Unifier’ of Japan. Emperor Meiji (1852-1912) -first monarch of the Empire of Japan- instigated the transformation of Japan from an isolationist, feudal state to an industrialized world power. Mahatma Gandhi (1869- 1948 - an Indian lawyer, anti-colonialist and political ethicist who employed non violent resistance to successfully lead India’s independence from British rule. Bapu - father - he was considered to be the *Father of the Nation * in India. Mao Zedong - Chairman Mao (1893-1976) - founding father of the People’s Republic of China - a controversial figure- regarded as one of the most important individuals of the 20th century - credited with transforming china from a semicolony to a powerful sovereign state with increased literacy and life expectancy.

Apparently ocean exploration began around 5000BC! I am going to concentrate on 1930s+ and the creation of the firstbathysphere (from the Greek ’ bathus’ meaning ‘deep’ and ‘sphaira’ meaning ‘sphere’) which was a unique, unpowered, spherical deep-sea submersible which was lowered into the ocean by cable. It was created/designed by American Otis Barton an inventor and actor. Otis and William Beebe ( a naturalist)- made a dive off Bermuda in June 1930. The dive was conducted from the deck of a former British naval ship called the *Ready. They set the first record for deep-sea diving by descending to 600 ft. (180 m). In 1934 they improved the record to 3,028 ft ( 923m). Otis in 1949 set a new world record of 4,500 ft (1,372m) in the Pacific Ocean with the benthoscope (from the Greek ’ benthos’- meaning ‘sea bottom’ and ‘scopein’ to ’ view’). It was designed by Otis and Maurice Nelles. (Jacques-Yves Cousteau (1910-1997) - a French man and co-developer of the Aqua -Lung- deserves a mention because through his 120 television documentaries and 50 books he permitted many through viewers/readers to explore the resources of the oceans.) Jacques Piccard (1922-2008) was a Swiss oceanographer and engineer. He was known for developing submarines for studying ocean currents. In the bathyscaphe Trieste Jacques with his colleagues reached 24,000 feet. Jacques with Lt.Don, of the US Navy, on January 23, 1960 were the first to explore the deepest known part of the world’s ocean, the Challenger Deep, in the Mariana Trench, located in the western North Pacific . The depth measured 35,813 feet (10,916 m) - a more accurate measure later 35,798 ft (10,911 m). Others have followed - James Cameron(2012 first solo descent), Victor Vescovo, Kathryn D.Sullivan and Vanessa 0’Brien (read their stories) The Deepsea Challenger was built in Australia in 2012 - construction was headed by Ron Allum ( Read development). J Sources Encyclopedia of Great Explorers Wikipedia

There are many articles written about the Hebrew word ‘Yahweh/Jehovah’ which in English translates into LORD. I have chosen 3 ( one twice). I found the article by Danielle Bernock particularly interesting. I have repeated the first double page in bolder print .She includes Biblical references. She looks at many of the other words which can be related to God in the scriptures and obviously includes Jesus who is given various wonderful names in both the O.T. and N.T… There are 6-9 definitions for Yahweh/Jehovah . The second set showing 16 names includes pronunciation. . The third set gives both pronunciation plus Biblical verses and references. I hope these prove useful. Source Wikipedia

I have put together some information about some Asian British Sports personalities -there is an emphasis on cricket. Adil Rashid is an English cricketer who plays for Yorkshire and England as a leg spinner. He was part of the England squad that won the 2019 Cricket World Cup. His England captain,Eoin Morgan, regards him as a strong asset. He belongs to the Mirpuri community. Isa Guha is former England cricketer. She is now a cricket commentator,television and radio broadcaster. A member of the winning 2009 World Cup for women. She played for Thames Valley and Berkshire Manish Tailor is the founder of Swaggarlicious- founded in 2011 - which uses the power of football and education to engage with diverse community groups and organisations with mental illness. Her inspiration is her twin brother, who aged 18 had serious mental problems.A former headteacher she has received many awards for her contribution to community and sport. Moeen Ali is a former English international cricketer and captain- retired September 2021. He is a left handed batsman but a right-arm off- spinner. Represented England in all the formats. A member of the England’s 2019 winning squad. Former Warwickshire player now plays for Worcestershire. Monty Panesar is a former English international cricketer. He was a slow left-arm orthodox spinner. He made his debut in 2006. He was not a regular member of the team - Graeme Swann replaced him. He played for several different counties Naomi Dilip Dattani is an English professional cricketer who plays for and captains Middlesex Women and also plays for Sunrises and London Spirit. She is an all-rounder- she bats left handed and bowls left-arm medium. In 2020 she was one of 25 players awarded regional retainer contracts by the England and Wales Cricket Board. Nasser Hussain is a former England captain (1999-2003) and regarded as one of England’s most able captains. He played 96 test matches and 88 One day international games. He was a right handed batsman who scored over 30,000 in his career. He is now a commentator. Ruqsana Begum is a female professional kickboxer and boxer. She was a British and World Kickboxing Association Atomweight MuayThai boxing champion and captain of the British Muay Thai team. In 2018 she switched to boxing. Salma Bi is a former cricketer, who bowled off-spin and played for Worcestershire, Northampton and MCC. Today she runs a range of cricket schemes and sessions for girls and was rewared with an BEM in the new Year Honours list. Samera Ashraf is a police constable in Scotland and has a blue belt in karate and kickboxing. She hopes to inspire women to join Police Scotland. Sheneela Ahmed is a Criminal Lawyer Advocate and a Lawyer Football Agent. In 2014 she was crowned with Asian Woman Achievement Award 2014. She is also a Women of the Future (WOFT) Ambassador and received HSBC top 50 Women Global Award, Sonia Odedra is an Eglish cricketer who plays for Nottinghamshire, Lig

I have found further information on Wikipedia about 21 of the ‘lesser’ known musicians found in the book *Great Music Greats I have included Robert Leroy Johnson (1911-1938) because he is known as the father of the blues- the most important blue singer that ever lived - Keith Richards and Eric Clapton. In alphabetical order:- Chic - refined a relatively minimalistic disco sound - now called Nile Rodgers & Chic Donna Summer - birth name (bn) Ladonna Adrian Gaines Eric B. & Rakim - bns. Eric Barrier and William Michael Griffin Jr. - hip-hop duo Erykah Badu - singer, song writer, record producer and actress Fela Kuti - also known as Abami Eda - pioneer of Afrobeat Fugees - a hip hop trio Isaac Hayes - singer, songwriter, actor, composer and producer Lil Wayne - bn. Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. rapper, record exec.& entrepreneur Miles Davis -trumpeter,band leader and composer - acclaimed figure in Jazz Missy Elliot -bn. Melissa Arnette Elliot -rapper,singer,songwriter& record producer Nicky Minaj- bn. Onika Tanta Maraj-Petty -animated rapper,singer & song writer Nina Simone -bn. Eunice Kathleen Waymon singer, musician, arranger & activist N.W.A. - abbrev, for Niggaz Wit Attitudes -one of the greatest hip hop groups Pharrell Williams - record producer, rapper, singer, entrepreneur -won 13 Grammies Public Enemy - hip hop group -gone through lineup changes over the years Robert Johnson - father of the blues Run-DMC or Run-D.M.C. - famous hip hop group in 1980s- read ‘FIRSTs’ Snoop Dogg -(briefly as Snoop Lion) - rapper, songwriter, media personality & actor The Last Poets -several groups of poets and musicians - start 1960s Black nationalism The Notorious B.I.G. - bn. Christopher George Latore Wallace - rapper & songwriter The Sugarhill Gang- hip hop trio- first rap single to become a top 40 hit Tupac Shakur- 2Pac, bn.Lesane Parish Crooks- rapper and actor

I came across a 10 page article about*Celebrating Black lives In the World Wars * I have photocopied the second half and found out extra information about the 10 men and women mentioned. They are set out in the order they are mentioned in the article. Walter Tull - served in WW1 in the Middlesex Regiment killed in action on 25th March 1918 played football Robbie Clarke- William Robinson Clarke- WW1 airman. First black pilot to fly for Britain. Died aged 88 George Arthur Roberts- a Trinidadian soldier WW1- known as the coconut bomber , fire-fighter during Blitz (WW11) Learie Nicholas Constantine, Baron Constantine (1969) -first black peer- cricketer, lawyer & politician - during WW11 responsible for West Indians employed in GB factories Princess Adenrele Ademole - a Nigerian princess trained as a nurse at Guy’s Hospital during WW11. Her patients called ‘fairy’. Adelaide Hall - American born UK based jazz singer and entertainer - one of the first entertainers to enter Germany before the war had officially ended - *Creole Love Call(1927) famous recording - career of 70 years - died aged 92 Philip Louis Ukric Cross DSO DFC, a Trinidadian, nicknamed The Black Hornet is often recognised as the most decorated Caribbean airman of WW11. He was a navigator and became an expert at precision bombing. By the end of the war he had flown 80 missions over Germany and occupied Europe. John Jellicoe Blair DFC - a Jamaican was also a navigator.He flew in Halifax Bombers flying from Yorkshire. He flew 33 missions over Europe during WW11. Ended war as a Flight lieutenant. Lilian Bader - enlisted in 1939 but dismissed after 7 weeks- reason father not born in UK. Later, when she heard RAF were taking citizens of West Indian descent she applied again and became one of the first black women to join the RAF- Women’s Auxiliary Air Force. She trained in instrument repair - a trade newly opened to women. In the 1960s went to evening classes,studied at London University and became a teacher. John Henry Clavell Smythe, joined RAF and trained as a navigator- did 26 bombing missions, 27 th shot down - spent 2 years in German prison. In 1948 became senior officer aboard the Empire Windrush. Awarded MBE in 1951 Birthday Honours.

Introduction to modern, British born, Asian musicians. Jay Sean is a singer, songwriter , record producer and arranger. Koomz is a songwriter and rapper. M.I. A. is an Oscar and Grammy nominated rapper, singer, record producer and activist. Mumzy Stranger is rapper,singer, songwriter and record producer. Nish is a singer, songwriter, guitarist and pianist. Raxstar is a rapper from Luton. Popular artist in DESI hip hop.

Bree Runway born (bn) Brenda Wireko Mensah is a singer, rapper and songwriter of Ghanaian descent. In 2021 won Best New International Act at the BET awards. Dev Hynes,(bn) David Joseph Michael Hynes, also known as Blood Orange and fomerly as Lightspeed Champion, is a singer, songwriter,record producer and director.between 2004-6 he was a member of Test Icicles. Emeli Sande, bn.Adele Emily Sande, is a Scottish singer and songwriter. She performed at both the Opening and Closing ceremonies of the 2012 Olympic games in London. In 2017,for the fourth time, she won the Brit award for best British Female Solo artist. Awarded MBE in 2017 for her services to music. Nao Jessica Joshua is a singer-song-writer and record producer from East London. her sound is described as soul combined with electronic music -Wonky funk. Her latest album is* And Then Life Was Beautiful* Abdullah Afzal is an actor and comedian. He has appeared in films( Raamis & Finging FatimaH and television ( Lunch Monkeys, Citizen Khan & Celebrity master Chef). Shazia Mirza is a stand-up comedian, actress and writer.She is best known for her stand-up comedy The Kardashians Made Me Do It.

Age of Discovery or Age of Exploration The extensive overseas exploration was led by the Portuguese. Prince Henry, the Navigator (1394-1460) the fourth child of King John 1, was the central administrative figure in the early days sending the new caravel ships to other continents through the systematic exploration of Western Africa. Diogo Cao (c.1452-c.1486) was one of the notable navigators.He made 2 voyages along the coast of Africa in the 1480s - explored the River Congo and the coasts of the present day Angola and Namobia. On his trips he took stone pillars engraved with the Portuguese royal arms (padraos) which he erected in every new place he discovered. Bartolomeu Dias (c.1450- 1500) was a Portuguese mariner and explorer. He was the first European mariner to round the southern tip of Africa.He explored an an additional 1,000 miles of African coastline. At the time he received little recognition of his accomplishments. Vasco da Gama (1460 or 1469 - 1524) was the first European to reach India by sea. His voyage to India by way of Cape of Good Hope (1497-9) was the first to link Europe and Asia by an ocean route. Vitus Jonassen Bering, also known as Ivan Ivanovich Bering,(1681-1741) was a Danish cartographer and explorer and an officer in the Russian Navy in Russian. He lead 2 Russian expeditions - First Kamchatka and the Great Northern -exploring the north-eastern coast of the Asian Continent and the western coast on the North American continent Vitus became ill and the island he died on was named after him - Bering Island. The Strait, Sea, Glacier and Land Bridge were also named in his honour. Aleksei Ilyich Chirikov (1703-1748) was deputy to Vitus Bering during the Great Northern Expedition. He took part in creating the final map of the Russian discoveries in the Pacific Ocean. He also had islands and capes named after him. Johann Ludwig Burckhardt/ John Lewis/ Jean Louis Burckhatdt (1784-1817) a Swiss traveller, geographer and Orientalist assumed the moniker of Sheikh Ibrahim Ibn Abdullah during his travels in Arabia. He rediscovered the ruins of the ancient Nabataean city of Petra in Jordan. He visited Mecca and wrote down in his journals detailed observations of the city. Gertrude Bell (1868- 1926) was an English writer, traveller, administrator, & archaeologist who explored & mapped Syria- Palestine, Mesopotamia, Asia Minor and Arabia. Her knowledge was highly influential in British imperial policy- making. Sven Anders Hedin (1865-1952) was Swedish geographer topographer, explorer, photographer, travel writer and illustrator. He made 4 expeditions to Central Asia and visited many countries. His adventure stories for young readers and his lecture tours abroad made him world famous. ** Central Asia Atlas** published posthumously. Dame Freya Nadekine Stark DBE (1893-1993) was an Anglo-Italian explorer and travel writer.- wrote more than 24 books. First non-Arab to travel through the Southern Arabian desert.

The beginning on the 16th century saw explorers setting off around the world in search of trade and plunder. Ferdinand Magellan (1480-1521), a Portugese explorer, is referred to being the first explorer to navigate around the earth. He never made it! He was killed on Mactan island in the Philippines. First Joao Lopes Carvalho became their leader. Then Juan Sebastian Elcano took over and successfully completed the first circumnavigation of the Earth on the *Victoria. Sir Francis Drake (1540-1596) an English explorer, sea captain, privateer, slave trader, naval officer and politician, completed the circumnavigation of the world in a single expedition from 1577-80. Received knighthood from Elizabeth 1 in 1581. He went on to become vice-admiral , second in command during the Spanish Armada in 1588 Spain branded him a pirate Sir Thomas Cavendish (1560-1592) was an English explorer and privateer known as The Navigator. Like Drake he raided the Spanish towns and ships in the Pacific and completed a circumnavigation of the globe. His major prize was the 600 ton Manila galleon Santa Ana which made him very rich - Elizabeth1 knighted him on his return. (read the notes). He died at sea while on his second global trip. William Dampier (1651-1715) was an English explorer, privateer, navigator and naturalist. He was the first person to do it 3 times. He was the first Englishman to explore parts of Australia. He was among the first to identify names of new plants, animals, foods and cooking techniques for a European audience .(read his Legacy) George Anson,1st Baron Anson ( 1697-1762) was a Royal Navy officer who rose to the rank of First Lord of the Admiralty (1757-62). He under took his global trip during the War of Jenkins’ Ear. As admiral he carried out many reforms including tightening discipline throughout the Navy. Vice-Admiral John Byron (nickname Foul Weather Jack) (1723-1786) a British Navy officer. He sailed with George Anson but his ship was wrecked in Chile. It was not until 1764-6 as a commodore of his own squadron, did he complete the globe trip.officer. Louis Antoine de Bougainville, was a French admiral and explorer who did a circumnavigation of the globe in a scientific expedition in 1763 which included the first recoded settlement on the Falkland islands. Charles Wilkes (1798- 1877) - an American naval officer, ship’s captain and explorer led the United States Exploring Expedition (1838-42), which completely encircled the globe, it was the last all-sail naval mission to do so. Sources Encyclopedia of Great Explorers. wikipedia

The attention of many potential explorers turned towards Space after 1945. Many unmanned rockets were sent up into space. In 1947 the USA launched primates into Space- many other animals followed. July 1951, Dezik and Tsygan, two dogs were launched into space by the USSR. The race to put man into space had begun. 10 years later on 12th April 1961 Yuri Gagarin, a Russian cosmonaut became the first man in space. The next race was to put the first man on the moon. On Wednesday 16th July 1969 Apollo 11 was launched by a Saturn V rocket. On Sunday20th July 1969, in front of cameras for all of us back on Earth to watch, USA astronaut Neil Armstrong stepped onto the surface of the moon. Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin was just steps behind. The third member of the crew Michael Collins stayed in the mother ship Columbia. The next step was a manned space programme - the Space Shuttle Transportation System (SSTS). The idea was to create a spaceship with a payload bay which would be launched by a rocket and glide back to Earth to be used again. The idea of the payload was to release/collect communication satellites. On 2nd April 1981 Robert Crippen and John Young were on board when the Space shuttle Columbia was successfully. 2020 sheet on spaceflight events during the year. On 11th July 2021 Richard Branson completed a successful suborbital space flight to reach the edge of space - the idea is to speed up journeys from continent to continent. On 13th October 2021 William Shatner, of Star Trek fame as Captain Kirk aged 90, hitched a ride aboard a suborbital spacecraft to become the oldest person to ever travel to space. Sheet on Future of Space exploration Plus First/Beginning vocabulary, 2 best copy sheets plus blank comic strip. Sources A brief Illustrated History of space exploration Encyclopedia of Great Explorers wikipedia

In the 16th century explorers set out across the Pacific Alvaro de Mendana de Neira (1542-1595) was a Spanish navigator and discover. he best known for his expeditions in 1567 and 1595 when he discovered the Marqueasa, Cook Islands and Solomons. Pedro Fernandes de Queiros (1563-1614) was a Portuguese navigator in the service of the Spanish He worked with Neira. In 1605-6 led expedition that crossed the Pacific in search of Terra Australia. Luis Vaz de Torres (1565-1607)took over Queiros expedition. He was the first European to navigate the strait that separates Australia mainland from the island of New Guinea. (Torres Strait named after him Abel Tasman (1603-1659) was Dutch seafarer,explorer and merchant. Working for the Dutch East india Company (DEIC) he was the first European to reach New Zealand and the islands of Fiji and Tasmania. by circumnavigating Australia he proved that the fifth continent was not joined to any other larger continent. (Read legacy for the many place named after him.) Captain James Cook (1728-1779) was a British explorer, navigator, cartographer in the British Navy. Between 1768-79 he made 3 voyages to the Pacific Ocean and Australia ( first to see kangaroos ) recorded first circumnavigation of New Zealand. He was the first to cross the Antarctic Circle and sailed right round the South Pole. At the end of his third voyage he returned to Hawaii where he was killed. (Read Death and Aftermath)) Jean-Francois de Galaup, comte de La Perouse (1741-1788) was a French naval officer and explorer. In 1785 he was appointed to lead a scientific expedition around the world using the ships Boussole and Asrolabe. He visited 8 countries before being wrecked on the reefs of Vanikoro in the Solomon Islands. He had earlier material back to Europe which resulted in pictorial atlas (1798). ( Wrecks of the 2 ships found in 1828 on the Santa Cruz Islands) Charles Napier Sturt (1795-1869) was a British officer and explorer. led several expeditions into the interior of the Australian continent starting from Sydney and later Adelaide. Edward John Eyre (1815-1901) was an English land explorer he went on 2 expeditions - north to the Flinders Ranges and west beyond Ceduna, plus reaching a lake that was later named Lake Eyre in his honour. With Wylie, an aboriginal. he traversed the coastline of the Great Australian Bight and the Nullarbor Plain in 1840-1 John McDouall Stuart (1815-1866) was a Scottish explorer. He led the first successful expedition south to north and return of Australia. Burke and Wills expedition 1860-1 task was to cross Australia - 3,250 kms with 19 men and 26 camels The expedition was a disaster ( read notes and legacy). Thor Heyerdahl (1914-2002) is noted for his Kon-Tiki expedition in 1947 when he travelled 8,000 kms in a hand built boat raft.

Having explored the coastline of Africa they then began to explore the interior. Mungo Park (1771-1806) was a Scottish explorer who in 1796 explored the upper Niger River. In his popular book he theorized that the Niger and Congo merged into one( (In 1830 it was proved they were 2 separate rivers.) . He was killed during his second exploration. Bain Hugh Clapperton (1788-1827)and his servant Richard Lander set out with Walter Oudney from Tripoli in 1822 to see if the Niger passed through the Muslim Kingdom of Kanem-Bornu around Lake Chad. In Murzuk Major Dixon Denham found them in a wretched condition. Clapperton and Denham quickly disliked each other. The 3 eventually arrived at Kuka (now Kuawa in Nigeria)… They separated - Clapperton and Oudney to explore the course of the Niger, Denham to the rivers Waube, Logone and Shari. Oudney died in Murmur. Clapperton and Denham returned together to the UK. In 1825 Clapperton returned with Lander but died. Lander then returned to UK, collected his brother John and returned. They were captured and held for ransom. Richard, as a slave, completed the journey to the mouth of the Niger! James Bruce of Kinnard (1730-1794) was a Scottish traveller and travel writer who confirmed the source of the Blue Nile. In 1770 he was the first European to trace the origins of the blue Nile from Egypt and Sudan. He spent 12 years in North Africa and Ethiopia. Auguste Rene Caillie (1799-1838) was a French explorer and the first European to return alive from the town of Timbuktu. May 1828 he crossed the Sahara with 1,400 camel caravan. Johanna Heinrich Barth (1821-1865), a German scholar, is thought to be one of the greatest European explorers of Africa. He published a 5 volume account of travels in English and German which has been invaluable of his time and since. Sir Richard Francis Burton (1821-1890) and John Hanning Speke (1827-1864) were set the task of finding the source of the River Nile. Burton was famed for his travels and explorations and spoke 29 languages, In 1858 they discovered Lake Tanganyika - the second largest lake in Africa. Speke headed north and in July 1858 discovered Lake Victoria. Speke was convinced others were not. Speke with James Grant (1827-1892) set off in 1860. Speke in July 1862 found a waterfall on the northern end of the Lake Victoria -it led down to a river- this was the start of the Nile Burton was not convinced so they agree to a debate. On the day of the debate, Speke accidentally killed himself with his gun. David Livingstone (1813-1873) was first and foremost a doctor and missionary but also an explorer. ( See map journeys and separate try). Henry Morton Stanley (1841-1904) was Welsh-American explorer, journalist, soldier. Remembered for his search for David. Also for his search for the source of the Nile. Mary Henrietta Kingsley (1862-1900) wrote 2 books which gained her respect and prestige with her peers. Encyclopedia of Great Explorers

16 British females who were explorers and /or travellers. Lady Hester Lucy Stanhope (1776-1839) was one of the most famous travellers of her age - she visited many countries in the near and Middle East including Egypt and Syria. Isabella Lucy Bird FRGS (1831-1904) born in England. From early childhood she was so frail an open air life was recommended. Aged 16 she began her writing career. In 1854 she went to the USA. In 1872 to Australia and moved on to Hawaii and climbed 2 mountains. In 1873 she covered 800 miles on horseback in the Rockies. In 1880 she went to Asia, Japan, China, Korea, Vietnam, Singapore and Malaya.In 1889 went to India. 1891 to Persia and Armenia - explored the Karun river. 1904 visited Morocco. She died in Edinburgh on 7 October 1904. Elizabeth Sarah Mazuchelli (1832-1914) English traveller and writer. She is said to be the first western woman to see Mount Everest. Mabel Virginia Anna Bent (1847-1929) spent 2 decades travelling, collecting and researching remote regions of the eastern Mediterranean,Asia Minor, Africa and Arabia. Mary Henrietta Kingsley (1862-1900 was a writer and explorer.She travelled throughout West Africa and helped shape the European perception of both African cultures and British colonialism in Africa. her 2 books gained her respect and prestige with her peers. Annette Mary Budgett Meakin (1867-1959) was the first English woman to travel to Japan on board the Trans-Siberian railway. Gertrude Emily Benham (1867- 1938) was a explorer who hiked and climbed mountains across the world. . She climbed mountains on almost every continent, her boots are displayed in Plymouth’s Museum. Gertrude Margaret Lowthian Bell CBE (1868-1926)was a traveller, writer, and an archaeologist. She travelled, explored and mapped Syria-Palestine, Mesopotamia, Asia Minor and Arabia. Gabrielle Maud Vassal (1880- 1959) was a naturalist. With her husband in 1903 she moved to Vietnam and later to French colonies in Africa. For a period of 30 years she supplied numerous specimens from Vietnam, Gabon and the Congo to the Natural History Museum in London. Charlotte Mansfield (1881-1936) known for her planned 1909 ‘Cape to Cairo’ journey which she never completed - she only reached as far as Lake Tanganyika before returning to South Africa. Enid Gordon- Gallien (1885-1931) was an adventurer and pilot who was awarded the Back Award in 1930 for her expedition in Tanganyika. Grace Marguerite Hay Drummond-Hay (1895-1946) the first woman to travel around the world by air in a zeppelin. Beryl Markham (1902-1986) she was the first person to fly solo ,non-stop across the Atlantic from GB to N.America. Beryl Smeeton (1905-1979)and her husband Miles tried everything! (see list) Felicity Ann Dawn Aston MBE FRGS (born 1977) she has raced across both the Arctic and Antarctic. First to ski solo across the Antarctic (2011). Laura Bingham (born 1993) best known for leading the first descent of the Essenquibo River in Guyana

Today there are solo races around the globe. Joshua Slocum,an American, between 1895-8 was the first to sail solo around the world - circumnavigation. This is a brief history of how man ( men and women) have speed up the circumnavigation over the last 200 years Joshua Slocum(1844-1909) spent a year !891-2) rebuilding his gaff rigged sloop oyster boat Spray. which was capable of self-steering. His book Sailing Alone (1899) won him widespread fame. Sir Francis Chichester (1901-1972) a British businessman, pioneer aviator and solo sailer. In his* Gypsy Moth 1V* he was the first person to sail singlehanded around the world by the clipper route and the fastest circumnavigator in 9 months and one day in 1966-7. In 1958 he had been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer! Sir William Robert Patrick Knox-Johnson (born 1939) better known as Robin Knox-Johnson, in 1969 became the first person to complete a single-handed non-stop circumnavigation of the globe. His entered his small Suhaili * in the* Sunday Times Golden Globe Race. There were 9 in the race the others dropped out. The race had started on 14th June 1968 and finished on 22nd of April 1969. Francis Joyon (born 1956) is a French professional sailboat racer and yachtsman. In February 2004 he became the new record holder setting a time of 72 days 22 hrs 54mins 22 secs. on IDEC formerly known as Sport Elec a boat not designed for single -handed sailing. Dame Ellen MacArthur (born 1976), an English sailor, in 2005 broke the world record. In her trimaran B&Q/Castorama in a time of 71days, 14hrs 18mins and 33 secs. Francis Joyon on 23 November 2007 set off in his IDEC2. He achieved a time of 57days 13 hrs 34 mins & 6secs breaking the old record by nearly 2 weeks. he held the record from 2008-2016 ( He holds many records -see list of Achievements) Clarisse Cremer (born 1989) a French professional sailor in the 2020-21 editon of the Vendee Globe set a world record, for a woman, of 87days 2hrs & 24 mins for a single-handed, non-stop, monohull circumnavigation. (see list for other results) Sources Encyclopedia of Great Explorers Wikipedia

Explorers wanted to find an alternative route to Asia by Sea. They decided to go west. Instead of finding Asia they found the North and South America. Christopher Columbus ( c.1451-1506) an Italian set out in 1492 to find Cipangu in Japan instead he found America. John Cabot (c.1450-1500) in 1497 decided to take a shorter route and landed at Newfoundland or Nova Scotia - both are in modern Canada. 4 Europeans in 1499-1500 went south and found South America. Americo Vespucci went with Alonso de Ojeda. The other 2 were Vincente Yanez Pinzon - who found the estuary to the mighty River Amazon- and Pedro Alvares Cabral - who is celebrated as the discover of Brazil by the Brazilians Giovanni da Verrazzano (1485-1528) is renowned as the first European to explore the Atlantic coast of North America between Florida and new Brunswick in 1524, including New York Bay. William Adams (1564-1620) was an English navigator who in 1600 was the first Englishman to reach Japan when leading a 5 ship expedition for a private Dutch Fleet (only 1 ship reached Japan). He was known in Japan as 'the pilot of Miura’and became a key advisor to the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. Henry Hudson (c.1565-23rd June 1611) was an English explorer and navigator best known for explorations of Canada and the northeastern USA in his ship Half Moon. In 1607 & 1608 tried to find the Northeast Passage to Cathay. In 1611 most of his crew mutinied - he with his son and 7 others set adrift- they were never seen again.Hudson River,/Strait/Bay named after him. Martin Frobisher (c.1535-1594) was an English seaman and privateer who made 3 voyages to the New World looking for the North-west Passage. In 1576 he sailed past Iceland and Greenland across the Davis Strait to the south of Baffin Island. On his voyage he thought he had found gold - brought tons back to UK only to find it was a worthless rock. Richard Chancellor (died 10th November 1556) was an English explorer and navigator. He was the first to penetrate to the White Sea and establish relations with the Tsardom of Russia. Returning to UK in a fleet of 4 ships, with the first Russian ambassador on board, the ships met bad weather off the coast of Norway which eventually cost Richard his life and many others. ( Read extract). Willem Barebtsz (c.1550-1597) was a Dutch navigator, cartographer and Arctic explorer. He went on 3 expeditions- on the third they discovered Spitsbergen and Bear Island. They ended stranded on Novaya Zemlya for almost a year. Died on return voyage in 1597. Sir John Franklin (1786-1847) was a British Royal Navy officer and Arctic explorer. Led 2 expeditions into the Canadian Arctic in 1819 and 1825. In 1845 his ships were icebound off King William Island. He died on 11th June 1847, all crew died later. Adolf Eric Norden Skiold (1832-1901) Finland- Swedish ( Read long lists of expeditions) Roald Amundsen (1872-1928) in 1903-6 first to successfully navigate the Northwest Passage on the Gjoa

Having discovered the Americas explorers now needed to explore the new lands they had found. Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) crossed the Atlantic 4 times. His voyages opened up the new continent to European explorers and conquerors. Vaco Nunez de Balboa (c,1475-1519) a Spanish explorer, governor and conquistador (adventurer and conqueror) was the first European to reach the Pacific from the New World. Juan Ponce de Leon (1474-1521) was a Spanish explorer, and conquistador known for leading the first official European expedition of Florida and being the first governor of Puerto Rico. Alvar Nunez Cabeza Vaca (c.1488- c.1560) a Spanish explorer. In 1540 became governor of Rio de Plata in Argentina. Francisco Pizarro (c,1478- 1542) was a Spanish conquistador is best known for his expeditions on the conquest of Peru Hernan Cortes (1485-1547)a Spanish conquistador,led an expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire ( Moctezuma 11 was their defeated leader) and brought large areas of Mexico under the rule of King of Castile. Jacques Cartier (1491- 1557) was a French-Breton maritime explorer. He was the first European to describe and map the Gulf and shores of the St.Lawrence River which he named The country of the Canadas. Hernando de Soto (1500- 1542) was a Spanish conquistador involved in expeditions in Nicaragua and Yucatan Peninsula. He also played an important role in Francisco Pizarro’s conquest on the Inca Empire in Peru. Francisco Vazquez de Coronado (1510- 1554) a Spanish conquistador and explorer led an expedition from Mexico to Kansas. He had the first European sightings of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River. Samuel de Champlain (1567- 1635) was a very talented and well travelled Frenchman. He made between 21-29 trips to Canada. In 1603 he began his exploring of N.America under the guidance of his uncle Francois Grave Du Pont. He created the first accurate coastal maps during his explorations and founded various colonial settlements. He is remembered as the Father of New France. Rene -Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle (1643-1687) was a French explorer and fur trader. He is best known for canoing the lower Mississippi River from the mouth of the Illinois River to the Gulf of Mexico (9.4.1682) Louis Jolliet (1645-1700+) -a French Canadian Explorer and Jacques Marquette (1637-1675) a French Jesuit missionary, were the first non-natives to explore and map the Upper Mississippi River. Pierre Francois Xavier de Charlevoix (1682-1761) a French Jesuit priest often considered the first historian of New France. Captain Merriwether Lewis and Second Lieutenant William Clark between 1803-6 *crossed the Continental Divide of the Americas before reaching the Pacific. * John C. Fremont (1813-1890), aided by Christopher Houston Carson - Kit Carson (1809-1868), led 5 expeditions into the Western United States. I mainly highlighted exploration. Sources Encyclopedia of Great Explorers - Parragon Wikipedia

Geoffrey Cyril Bingham (1919-2009) was an Australian author and cleric in the Anglican Church of Australia. He was founding principal of the Pakistan Bible Training Institute in Hyderabad, Pakistan (1957-67). He was also one of the founding members of the Austri-Asian Christian Church (AACC). From 1967-73 he was principal of the Bible College of South Australia after which he formed New Creation Publications. He was a gifted writer and NTCM published close to 300 of his books- they were mostly theological.

Dr. Charles Stewart Thompson (1851-1900 was the first medical missionary to Kherwara Chhaoniin Rajputana, the Bhils region of Central India. His schools, famine relief centres and medical service transformed care in the region. He was accepted as a missionary by the Church Missionary Society (CMS) and in June 1880 he was ordained a deacon, in October ordained as a priest He was a doctor, reverend, translator and philanthropist who worked to treat cholera. leprosy, the Bubonic plague, ophthalmia, malaria rheumatism and fever. It took him nearly 10 years to achieve his first convert. It was said that many of his Bhil students were Christian at heart but none had the courage to be baptized for fear of social ostracism. On 15th December 1889 Sukha Damor, his wife and their 4 children were baptized. Others followed. He eventually pioneered Christianity in 7 districts. In 1896, after 15 years, he took a furlough. He had established primary schools, dispensaries, relief centres and orphanages. He had also translated and published the Gospel, the first grammar and vocabulary book and a prayer book into the Bhili language. While in the UK he desperately attempted to persuade the CMS to send more doctors and nurses. In 1899 he heard about the terrible Chappania Famine afflicting the Bhil region. and returned to India. The men had fled leaving only women and children who were starving. He took matters into his own hands -he set up 7 relief centres - feeding 700 Bhili children and some adults. He set up an orphanage. By April 1900 he had opened 15 relief centres and was feeding 5,500 children, twice daily who would have been either dead or starving. In May 1900 he fell ill with cholera. The Bhil people tried to get him European Aid. He died on May 19th at noon, under a tree. On his death he became a source of inspiration. He was acclaimed as the founding father who had laid down his life for the salvation of the Bhil. Many volunteers came forward to help with the Bhil mission. In Kherwara there is school named in his memory - The Thompson Memorial School. Charles spent nearly 20 years living, working, and ultimately dedicating his life to the plight of the Bhils.