St John’s International School in Waterloo is holding the latest in its “conversation with” series.
The series is described as an “inspiring programme” where leading authors share their stories from around the world.
It comes to a close for this school year with Elspeth Beard, “a personal story of a remarkable solo adventure around the world.”
In 1982, at the age of just 23 and halfway through her architecture studies, Elspeth Beard left her family and friends in London and set off on a 35,000-mile solo adventure around the world on her 1974 BMW R60/6.
A school spokesman takes up the story, “With only limited savings from her pub job, a tent, a few clothes and some tools, all packed on the back of her bike, she was determined to prove herself.
“When she returned to London nearly two and a half years later, she was many kilo’s lighter and decades wiser.
“She’d ridden through unforgiving landscapes and countries ravaged by war, witnessed civil uprisings that forced her to fake documents, and fended off biker gangs and corrupt police convinced she was trafficking drugs.
“She’d survived life-threatening illnesses, personal loss and brutal accidents that had left permanent scars and a black hole in her memory. In an age before email, the internet, mobile phones, satnavs and, in some parts of the world, readily available and reliable maps, she achieved something that would still seem remarkable today,” said the spokesman.
It takes place on Thursday 1 June at 7pm in the Performing Arts Centre Theatre at the school. This is a free event although registration is required via the Eventbrite link:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/625104503397
Further info:
Email address: [email protected]
T:023520610
www.stjohns.be
St John’s International School Performing Arts Centre Theatre
St John’s International School. 146 Drève Richelle, Waterloo