A talk by Ed Buckingham - the 1st Cornishman to conquer Everest.

Come and hear from the first Cornishman to conquer Everest. South Devon Book Festival Join us in person for an exciting talk by Ed Buckingham titled "A Great Achievement". As I stood there in anticipation at the end of the line in the middle of the circle it felt more like being in a bull pit. All eyes trained on you as the main event very much like the Spanish style bullfighting. Except this time there would be no charging around trying to defeat the opposition as you stood trying to remain cool, calm and collected. Each person in the line was there for their own particular merit. It had come to me the next person to be read out, step forward and collect my award. The Grand Bard Barbara Shaw recited, “The First Cornishman to conquer Everest and raise a banner Kernewek on the Summit.” Translated in Cornish it means, ”An kynsa Kernow dhe fetha Everest ha sevel a baner Kernewek war an gwarthau.” As I stepped forward I felt the crowd roar in approval. Maybe my bias it felt more than for the previous recipients for what was a great achievement. As Barbara bent to shake my hand she uttered to me, “This makes it all the more special you coming from Saltash as well.”