Sir Ranulph Fiennes delivers High Sheriff’s Lecture at the University of Northampton

Intrepid explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes was a special guest at the University of Northampton on 31 October, at the invitation of the High Sheriff of Northamptonshire, James Shepherd-Cross.

Introduced by the High Sheriff and Nick Petford, Vice-Chancellor, Sir Ranulph addressed a lecture theatre of 300 invited guests to discuss his ‘Living Dangerously’ adventures.

Beginning with his early years in South Africa and covering his education after returning to England, Sir Ranulph was self-deprecating and humorous.  He went on to explain how he followed in his father’s footsteps in joining the Royal Scots Greys and subsequently joined the SAS, despite several brushes with authority along the way.  He described how he began as an explorer and detailed a selection of his adventures, with photographs to highlight the highs and lows that he encountered. The extreme conditions, extraordinary challenges and physical costs involved made for a compelling series of tales.

With “motivation” as a key theme, the process of selecting team members for expeditions was explained – a crucial element of planning and preparation with life or death consequences.

For further information on Sir Ranulph, described by The Guinness Book of Records as “the world’s greatest living explorer”, visit Sir Ranulph’s website.