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

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

Peter, the Hermit was a Roman Catholic Priest from Amiens. Pope Urban 11 called for a crusade to liberate the Holy Places (1095)- destination the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Jerusalem. Peter toured Europe preaching the crusade. He was a key figure during the military expedition from France to Jerusalem, known as the People’s Crusade or Crusade of the Paupers. He was one of the preachers of the armed pilgrimage and leapt to fame as an emotional revivalist. Historians agree that 1000s of serfs and peasants eagerly took the cross at his bid. Some historians think the crusade would have included well-armed soldiers and nobles. The Crusade to the Holy Land began in the spring of 1096. He received permission from Patriarch Simeon 11 of Jerusalem. He recruited from England, Lorraine, France and Flanders. The start was disastrously with the massacre of Jewish civilians ( ReadMassacre of Jewish civilians) They then had to go through Hungary, Belgrade and Sofia. They started in April 1096 with 40,000 men and women from Cologne and arrived in Constantinople with 30,000 by the end of July. (The ‘locals’ were expected to feed the vast host of paupers for the remainders of their journey.)r ( Read Hungary, Belgrade Sofia and Constantinople) During the winter (1096/7), with little hope of securing Byzantine support, the Crusade waited for the armed crusaders as their sole source of protection in completing the pilgrimage. The numbers, to a small degree, were replenished with disarmed , injured or bankrupted crusaders. . After a few rousing speeches Peter now played a subordinate role, The Crusade settled on a military campaign to secure the pilgrimage routes and holy sites in Palestine. When they reached Antioch at the beginning of 1098 he gave a stirring speech before the half-starved Crusaders gained victory over the superior Muslim army besieging the city. In 1099 he appears as the treasurer of the alms at the siege of Arqa. He was leader of he supplication processions around the walls of Jerusalem before it fell and later, within Jerusalem, after the surprising victory at the Battle of Ascalon (August). At the end of 1099 he went to Latakia and sailed for the west. From this time he disappears from the historical records except in his obituary in the chronicle at Neufmoustier Abbey. ( read Later Life) In 1100 he returned to Europe to be the prior at the monastery he had founded in Neufmroutier near Huy. H e died in 1115 and his tomb is in Neufmoustier Abbey.-* His name. He is called Pierre l’Ermite in French. The structure of the name in French unlike in English has led some francophone scholars to treat l’Ermite as a surname rather than a title. Sources Wikipedia The Hodder & Stoughton Book of Famous Christians by Tony Castle

Joseph William Livesey was an English temperance campaigner, social reformer, local politician, writer, publisher, newspaper proprietor and philanthropist. He engaged energetically in local politics, filled many public posts and was a leader in every kind of philanthropic effort, especially identifying with the teetotal movement. He published a number of publications TheMoral Reformer(1833) which became the* Preston Temperance* (1834-8). This became the* British Temperance Advocate.* Moral Reformer (1838/9) revived. The Struggle(1841) Preston Guardian (1844-1859) established with his sons *Teetotal Progressionist * (1851/2) Staunch Teetotaller (1867-9)

Some information which might encourage children to write a story about going on a canoe trip. 10 reasons for taking up canoeing Canoe Equipment Canoeing on the River 1 can used like a comic strip. Canoeing 2 and Kayaking a dangerous river are vocabulary sheets. Children of different abilities should be able to use these sheets.( Illustrations by David Woodroffe). Clip art of different canoes and kayaks.

Just three short pieces of information about the hermit Saint Antony of Egypt who is remembered on January 17th.

I have put together some phrase/vocabulary sheets about cars and big wheelers. Plus phrase/vocabulary sheets and answer examples for eyewitness and car accident (former SATS type questions). There are some clip art sheets for ‘best’ copy. There is also a crossword/word search sheet with answers There are four colour sheets showing cars and lorries.

Sue Barker is a former professional tennis player and television presenter. During her tennis career she won 15 WTA tour single titles including the 1976 French Open aged 20. She also won 12 doubles titles. She reached a career high singles ranking of world No. 3 on 20th March 1977. She won her last doubles title in 1982 at Cincinnati and played her last professional match in 1984. Her mentor throughout her career was Arthur Roberts. He began coaching her in 1966 when she was 10 years of age. In 2004, recalling her French Open win in 1976,she said,* I’m still incredibly proud of what I achieved.*** She retired from playing tennis to presenting it! From 1985 until 1990 she became a commentator and sports reporter for Australia’s Channel 7. She then joined British Sky Broadcasting. In 1993 she joined the BBC and was a regular guest on* Today at Wimbledon* with Harry Carpenter. In the 1990’s hosted BBC Wimbledon Highlight show with Pam Shriver. In 1994 took over as host of* Today at Wimbledon*. From 2000 until 2022 she anchored the 2 week long broadcast of the Wimbledon tennis championships for the BBC. Sue had a long broadcasting career. She enjoyed commentating on many sports- from horse racing to the Olympics. - summer and winter. From 1997 until 2020 she presented* A Question of Sport*- a programme which viewers very much enjoyed watching. In 2000 received an MBE for services to sport and broadcasting. In 2016 received OBE for broadcasting and charity. In 2021 received CBE for broadcasting and charity. In 1982 met Cliff Richard. In 1988 married Lance TanKard Autobiography ‘Calling the Shots’ published in 2022. Sources Wikipedia Passing the Torch - Sportswomen who Inspire

Hugh was the Bishop of Worcester(1535-9) during the Reformation. He became the C of E chaplain to King Edward V1. In his middle 60s he faced a trial on 14th April 1554… He argued, in writing since he was hardly able to sustain a debate at his age, that the doctrines of the real presence of Christ in the mass, transubstantiation and the propitiatory merit of the mass were unbiblical. In 1555 under the Catholic Queen Mary 1 he was tried for his beliefs and teachings. He was burned with Nicholas Ridley at the stake. He became one of the three Oxford Martyrs -Thomas Cramner was the third. It may come in my days,as old as i am, or in my children’s days, the saints shall be taken up to meet Christ in the air, and so shall come down with him again. Hugh Latimer Source Wikipedia

Sharron is a former English swimmer who represented GB in the Olympics and European championships. She has attended 12 consecutive Olympics -3 as a competitor and 9 as a commentator. She also competed in the international community spanning 20 years. She learned to swim when she was 6 years of age. By the age of 8 she was training seriously. Aged 11 swam for the British national team. Aged 13 represented GB at the 1976 Summer Olympics. Aged 14 won 2 bronze medals at the 1977 European Championships. Aged 15 won 2 gold medals at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in the 200 ` and 400 individual medleys. Aged 17 she won a silver medal at the 1980 games in the 400m individual medley Aged 18 ‘called time’ to build her television profile and career in modelling. Aged 27’ returned’ to the pool. Aged 32, in 1994, finally retired having been British champion 22 times , broken 200 British swimming records and held 5 World Masters records( eligible when over 30) When she retired she worked for various media organisations and programmes. (Read* Publications, media programmes and other work*) Given a MBE in 1993 in recognition for her sevices to swimming. In 2005 supported London’s bid for the 2112 Olympics. On BBC’s Question Time made a strong case for bringing the Games to London. She is a patron of the Disabled Sport Rngland and SportsAid. She has her view on trans women.In 2023 criticised Nike for using Dylan Mulvany, a transgengender woman to model their products. There is talk that her silver , won in 1980, could still be turned into gold. The gold medallist, Petra Schneider, from East Germany, has admitted that the victory was drug enhanced.

Richard Branson fulfilled a personal dream by going to the edge of Space. The picture I have chosen shows a very happy man fulfilling a dream. He beat his fellow billionaire Jeff Bezos by days to be the first billionaire space company founder to ride in his own spacecraft. Originally he was to fly on its second last flight but it was brought forward. I have created a phrase and vocabulary sheet - I created a blank so you could choose which of the 3 pictures you preferred. There is also a blank comic strip. I hope the children enjoy using the sheet.

Thursday, 26th August 2021 Jaco van Gass, who was born in South Africa, has just won GB another gold medal. Jaco, a member of the British Armed Forces Parachute Regiment before he was seriously injured by a RPG (Rocket Propelled Granade)has just won the Men’s 3,000 Cycling Pursuit gold medal.

Ezekiel Handinawangu Guti was born on the 5th of May 1923 in Ngaone, Chipinge, Manicaland Province, Rhodesia. He is a gifted evangelist and has distinguished himself as a leading personality in the Pentecostal World. His academic credentials include a BA, Ma, DD, D.MIn and Ph.D in Religion. Plus BA in Christian education and a Doctorate from Northgate Graduate school and Zoe College. His ministry began on the 12th may 1960 under a gum tree in Bindura, Zimbabwe. He founded the Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa (ZAOGA) Christian church in 1959 when the Apostolic Faith Mission broke away from the South African Pentecostal church. The church is now established in over 143 nations, with over 2,000 in Southern Africa. ZAOGA is also known internationally as Forward in Faith Ministeries International. Its headquarters is to be found in Waterfalls, Harara Zimbabwe Ezekiel initiated the building of Zimbabwe Ezekiel college and the Mbuya Dorcas Hospital. He oversees 5,000 pastors and evangelists world wide.

Jackie Robinson was one of the most influential sports figure of his day. he was the first African American to play Major League Basketball. He was the catalyst that broke basketball’s colour barrier. Malala Yousafzai is now 24. On 9th October 2012, aged 15 ,she was hit in the head from a bullet by a Tehrik-i Taliban Pakistan gunman who wanted to assassinate her for activism towards female education. She was transfered to the UK to recover… In 2014, aged 17, she became the world’s youngest Nobel Prize laureate. Pakistan’s Prime minister, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, says she has become the country’s most prominent citizen. I am Malala: the girl who was stood up for Education and was shot by the Taliban Mohammad Ali, formerly known as Cassius Clay until 1964, was a world champion boxer. Changing his name was a religious and political act when he converted to Islam. In 1967 he became a conscience objector and refused to do military service in Vietnam for the USA saying it was against his religious and moral beliefs. He avoided jail but was stripped and banned from boxing. ln 1970 returned to the ring to win back his title. Rigoberta Menchu Tum is a K’iche Guatemalan human rights activist, feminist and Nobel Prize Laureate (1992). She rose in prominence in 1983. She has dedicated her life to publicizing the indigeous suffering of her people during and after the Guatemala Civil War (1960-99). She is a UNESCO goodwill anbassador. She founded the country’s first indigenous political party, Winaq. Tegia Loroupe is a Kenyan long distance track and road runner ( won the New York marathon in 1994 and 1995, plus other marathons). She is also a global spokeswoman for peace, women’s rights and education. In 2003 created the Tegia Loroupe Peace Foundation- created to promote friendship between people and gender equality. She organizes Peace marathons which are held in East Africa. In 2016 organized the Refugee Team for the Rio Summer Olympics in Rio. Wangari Muta Maathai (1940-2011) was a Kenyan social environmental and political activist. In 1977 she founded the Green belt Movement which focused on the planning of trees ( combating deforestation and soil erosion), environmental conservation and women’s rights. She felt by improving the environment she was creating a system that would encourage progress and peace In 2004 she was the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. In 2006 won the Indira Gandhi Peace prize. Sources People of Peace by Sandrine Mirza Wikipedia

A very colourful book full of good ideas for Autumn written by Clair Beaton. Published in 1997 by B. Small publishing ISBN 9781874735120. Well worth buying at £3.50 is still available or republished.

I have put together 3 sheet connected with Global warming. There is a’Yes to ’ and 'No to 'sheet . The second sheet is a Thesaurus of hopefully useful list of positive words to use. The third sheet is Poetry Aid in case the children want to try and write a poem about Global Warming…

William Trewartha Bray was the eldest of three children He was born in the village of Twelveheads, Cornwall, England. After leaving school he became a miner in Cornwall for 7 years. He was a drunkard and prone to riotous behaviour. In 1821 he married Joanna, a lapsed Methodist. They had 9 children -two were orphans In November 1823, following a close escape from a mining accident, he was converted* *after reading John Bunyan’s Visions of Heaven and Hell. He became well known as an unconventional Cornish preacher - his sermons were enlivened by spontaneous outbursts of singing and dancing. His biographer, F.W. Bourne, quoted Billy as saying If they put me in a barrel, I would shout glory out through the bunghole! Praise the Lord about people who complained about his enthusiastic singing and shouting. He generously gave help to other people. He raise enough funds to build three new Methodists chapels. The one in Kerley Downs was nicknamed 'Three Eyes ’ because it had three windows and was later dedicated to him in 1984. In 2012 Michael Bentley wrote a children’s book about Billy.

William was an English official on board the Mayflower in 1620 He was probably born in Scrooby, Nottinghamshire. He studied briefly at Peterhouse, Cambridge before entering the service of William Davison , ambassador to the Netherlands, in1584. He became a Puritan before moving illegally from England to Holland - the departure was a complex matter. They were arrested in 1607 but in 1608 they were successful leaving from the Humber estuary. For the first year they lived in Amsterdam, Holland. After controversy they moved to Leiden. He was first an assistant and later an elder to Pastor John Robinson. He printed and published Puritan religious books and taught English to university students. When the Speedwell sailed to England he was the highest ranked layman of the congregation and was their designated elder for the Plymouth colony. He was also the only pilgrim with political and diplomatic experience. The Mayflower departed Plymouth in England in September 1620. The 100 foot vessel carried 102 passengers and a crew 30/40 in cramped conditions. During the voyage the ship was buffeted by strong winds. After being blown off course by gales it landed first at Cape Cod. It continued on to an area near present day Plymouth, Massachsetts and landed on 21st December 1620. Within months half the passengers had died due to the cold, harsh New England winter. William served as the senior elder and religious leader of the colony until 1629 when pastor Ralph Smith arrived. He continued to preach irregularly until his death on 10th April 1644. 4 of the outer islands now bear his name - Great, Little, Middle and Outer Brewster. Source Wikipedia

I have created 3 simple colourful harvest word searches fruit/salad/ vegetables -answers included

Just 6 sheets I created to encourage children to talk about their pets