On Easter Sunday, 2008 I received a very interesting telephone call from Melbourne, Australia. It was Prof. Beau Beza, Chairman of the Hillary Medal Committee informing me that I had been selected to receive the 2008 Sir Edmund Hillary Mountain Legacy Medal. It was such a surprise that my immeadiate reply was,"that's nice".In the Press release sent out on 1st April by Prof. Beza it read, 'The Hillary Medal was for remarkable service in conservation of culture and nature in remote mountainous regions'.The medal was instigated in 2003 by a Nepalese based NGO, Mountain Legacy to honour the work of the late Sir Edmund Hillary KG ONZ KBE., and to encourage others to emulate his example. I do not think anybody let alone I could possibly emulate Sir Edmund, but I do thank Dr. Seth Sicroff for nominating me for this very prestigious award. Only two other medals have been stuck and presented, the first in 2003, the 50th Annivarsary of the first ascent of Everest, the second in 2006.

On 21st May My wife, Sheila and I went out to Nepal and after spending a couple of days in Phortse went over to Tengboche where World Expeditions, the sponsors of the medal, had organised on 29th May the celebration of the 55th Anniversary of the first ascent of Everest by Sir Edmund and Tenzing Norgay. It was a very happy occasion with a number of the Phortse community coming over to Tengboche to get a preview of the medal. Six trekking groups from World Expeditions had also converged on Tengboche and what with a 'Everest marathon' passing through the tiny and normally tranquil village Tengboche was bursting with excitement. More excitement took place when we all were invited into the coutyard of the Gompa and together with the Rimpoche witness a mini Mani Rimdu, dancing display by the monks. In the evening under a large marquee and after a fine dinner the Master of Ceremonies, Brad Atwell on behalf of World Expeditions invited Peter Hillary and Beau Beza to present the medal.

With the building of the Community Centre in 2007 it is intended to equip the centre and install a all age library and learning centre. It is hoped to recruit the help of Read Global to install the library. However the project will need some £5,000 before Read will make this commitment.

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Whilst in Nepal I asked a young Sherpa girl from the village if she would like to be trained as a teacher and when qualified teach at the primary school in Phortse. Pemba Jangmu Sherpa left school at grade 10 and will need two years of extra studies plus three months montessory teaching practice in Kathmandu before qualifying to become a teacher. Pemba Jangmu said yes and with the help of Ang Rita Sherpa of the Himalayan Trust and Ang Phurba Sherpa of Wilderness Experience Pvt. Ltd., Pemba Jamgmu Sherpa starts her studies this month. It is hope within the next five years two other pupils will also be trained to take up similar teaching posts in Phortse. A further £5,000 needs to be raised which will cover all college and exam fees and two years lodging and food in Kathmandu.

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Should you wish to help me raise this money the village and students would be very very happy. Please give me a ring on 01953 860156 or e mail me on info@phortsecommunityproject.org.uk.