Brummie Stokes, the third Briton to ascent Everest, spoke at this term’s Tom Avery Society Lecture. After three years as a boy soldier in the Royal Green Jackets, Brummie joined 22 Special Air Service Regiment, seeing operations all over the world and retiring as the Regimental Sergeant Major.

 

However, his real adventures have taken place in the mountains, both during and since his soldiering. He was selected, along with Bronco Lane, as one member of the two summit pairs on the British and Nepalese Army Everest Expedition in 1976, gaining the summit only to bivouac at 28,000 feet. Despite snow blindness and the loss of all his toes following severe frostbite, Brummie has since returned to Everest four times.

 

But his greatest adventure has been in the setting up of the ‘Taste for Adventure Centre’ near Hereford which provides the opportunity for young people who have been disadvantaged in one way or another to gain a renewed self-belief and find hope for the future.

 

Brummie also spoke the following morning to the whole School in Chapel – all dressed in mufti having donated £2 each towards Brummie’s centre and those who benefit from it. He attempted to some up his life’s adventures in five minutes, and in so doing left us breathless, but inspired. Thank you, Brummie!