Richard Whiteley meets the explorer John Blashford-Snell whose expeditions include the first descent of the Blue Nile, crossing the Darien Gap, and overseeing the first north-south vehicular journey from Alaska to Cape Horn. Title: Yorkshire Television – Colour Production Colourful graphics based on various views of stylised male and female heads in profile introduce the programme. Title: CALENDAR PEOPLE Title: Richard Whiteley The programme opens with Richard Whiteley describing a piece...

Richard Whiteley meets the explorer John Blashford-Snell whose expeditions include the first descent of the Blue Nile, crossing the Darien Gap, and overseeing the first north-south vehicular journey from Alaska to Cape Horn. Title: Yorkshire Television – Colour Production Colourful graphics based on various views of stylised male and female heads in profile introduce the programme. Title: CALENDAR PEOPLE Title: Richard Whiteley The programme opens with Richard Whiteley describing a piece of film showing a motorised rubber dinghy making its way through rough water on an African river. The three men in the craft are led by this week’s guest Major John Blashford-Snell. Major Blashford-Snell standing near to Richard is welcomed to the programme, and the audience applaud. Title: Major John Blashford-Snell Richard asks the major about his surname. He explains that it is simply an adoption of the name of Blashford, a village in Hampshire, where the Snells were resident. This dates to around 1067, along with the family’s part in the Norman Conquest. Richard continues to question the major on his family history, as a soldier he has not followed the family’s tradition of being seafarers. The major tells of his fondness for Yorkshire as he lives in Thirsk. Richard mentions the expeditions, the major says that Britain leads the world in exploration. Richard lists Major Blashford-Snell’s abilities as an explorer, writer, and a soldier. He is a patriot and is loyal to the Queen, but also has admiration for Oliver Cromwell. Richard asks him whether there should be a higher emphasis on the military in this country. He disagrees and says they should have low-key presence and serve Queen and country. The major is fundamentally opposed to a military government in this country. Richard talks to the major about his expedition six years earlier to the Blue Nile in Africa. The major outlines how he was invited by Haile Selassie the Emperor of Ethiopia to explore a particular part of the Blue Nile which was virtually impossible to access, but would probably reveal interesting aspects of zoology, botany and wildlife in general. A film clip with comments from the major shows rigid craft which were used in lower reaches of the Blue Nile. In the higher reaches they used inflatable craft, the film shows the expedition team getting the craft along torrents of wild water, which meant having to guide and tow the craft from the bank. Major Roger Chapman one of the members of the expedition is in the audience and he explains the detailed planning that had to be undertaken prior to the expedition. Richard Whiteley and the major then go over to one of the inflatable craft seen in the film but now on display for the audience and viewers. The major explains that they had three of the craft in use named ‘Faith’ ‘Hope’ and ‘Charity’. The boat in the studio is ‘Charity’. The major explains that it’s made of neoprene, a synthetic rubber. He talks about how sturdy these boats are and shows one of the life jackets that are worn while on board. He also describes protective wear and other items on board in his own inimitable way, much to the amusement of the audience. Richard and the major return to their seats and Richard asks the major, having just demonstrated survival equipment, about any dangerous or alarming moments on his travels. The major outlines a story of being attacked by an armed group during the exploration of the Blue Nile. The major then produces a high powered pistol used presumably as a deterrent. Although admitting being scared at times, he gives the rather blasé explanation that he’s a masochist which is why he goes on these expeditions. Richard asks the major as a leader, what qualities should a leader have to hand. A brief response follows with the single word ‘optimism’. He then goes on to say that faith, religious and faith in the men and women you lead is important. He also says that he turns to his Christian faith in certain situations. Richard goes on to question the major on living conditions on expeditions, having to deal with disease, poor food, extreme weather, and other physical hazards. Regarding disease the major says that malaria is a very distressing disease as is dysentery. Richard then moves on to the major’s active service in the army, most recently in Belfast. Richard asks how the fear factor experienced on expeditions is different from active service in Belfast. The major immediately answers that it is the same. Richard then asks the major about world exploration. Given the number of expeditions he has already completed are there still places to be explored or discovered. He says that he could not describe the opportunities for future explanation in square miles but in years he reckons on 50. The major goes on to say that younger people are needed to take up the challenge of exploration. Following the major’s comment that new people need to come forward he mentions he may not come back from a future expedition. Richard asks him why this would happen. The major replies that like the cat who has nine lives, he reckons he has used six. Richard brings the point to the attention of the major’s wife who is in the audience. She replies that it also might be a relief that he doesn’t return from one of his adventures! Asked if he is at all practical at home the major tells the tale of a shelf that the put up which failed immediately after being loaded with jam jars. Richard asks him about is membership of the Sealed Knot, the oldest military re-enactment society in the UK. Specialising in battles from the civil war. Although no longer an active participant he views the society as a place to escape from the times in which we live. He thought it was a lot of fun as a member. The camera shows some members of the Sealed Knot in the audience and in costume. Richard reads a passage from one of the major’s books about a man who wanted to join the major’s unit. The major asked him why he wanted to join his unit particularly, the answer was he thought he would ‘get on’ with major. In the studio the major then pays tribute to the man he knew well as he was killed in Northern Ireland while they were both on duty. Richard asks the major if he would describe himself as eccentric. He replies, ‘not intentionally’. Richard asks about Britain’s place in the world. The major doesn’t believe in looking at a particular period and concluding things were better then. Britain has move on since the Empire, but one quality he believes is needed for any country is leadership and he believes Britain excels in this regard. Richard thanks his guest as he brings the programme to a close Title: CALENDAR PEOPLE Tonight Featured Credits: Major John Blashford-Snell Talking to – Richard Whiteley Director - Nick Gray Producer – John Meade Editor - John Wilford End Title: YORKSHIRE TELEVISION Colour Production ©Trident Television Ltd 1975