Press Release

25 July 2002
SIR CHRIS BONINGTON HONOURED BY UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD

One of the world's most distinguished mountaineers and writer Sir Chris Bonington was amongst leading figures from the worlds of sport, technology and science, and entertainment, to receive an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Bradford.

The University honoured Trevor Foster MBE, Brian Noble, Brian Critchley, Emeritus Professor Rosemary Cramp, Rachael Heyhoe-Flint MBE, Elizabeth France and Mohammed Amran, alongside more than 1,750 graduates.

Professor Chris Taylor, Vice-Chancellor of the University, said: "We were pleased to be able to recognise the achievements of such a talented and distinguished individual and we were delighted that Sir Chris Bonington could join with us in celebrating the achievements of our many graduates."

Sir Chris Bonington said: "I am absolutely delighted to receive this award and it is wonderful to be here for two reasons. Firstly, I have connections to Bradford through my friend Ian Clough, who came from Baildon, and who died during an expedition. He was a very special guy. Bradford was also the place I did my very first lecture, which was in St George's Hall."

Born in 1934 and educated at University College School, London, and the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, Sir Chris Bonington is Britain's best-known mountaineer. He has led and been on 19 Himalayan expeditions, including four to Everest, which he climbed in 1985 at the age of fifty, and has made many first ascents in the Alps and greater ranges of the world, including Annapurna II in 1960, and Nuptse in 1961. In 1975, he was Leader of a successful Everest South West Face Expedition.

More recently, he was Leader of a 1997 British Expedition to make the first attempt on Sepu Kangri, which he led once again in 1998. He began his army career in 1956 in the Royal Tank Regiment before becoming an instructor in the Army Outward Bound School in 1959. Since 1961, he has been a freelance mountaineer, writer and photographer.

His numerous titles include President of Lepra, President of the National Trust Lake District Appeal, Chairman of the Mount Everest Foundation, Chairman of the Outward Bound Trust Risk Management Committee and President of the British Orienteering Federation. From 1988 to 1991 he was President of the British Mountaineering Council and from 1992 to 2000 he was President of the Council for National Parks. He has also been President of the Alpine Trust.

Having been awarded both a Knighthood and a CBE, he has also been awarded the Founders Medal by the Royal Geographical Society, the Lawrence of Arabia Medal by the Royal Asian Society and the Livingstone Medal by the Royal Scottish Geographical Society. Author of 15 books, he has presented and appeared on a number of television programmes.

Sir Chris Bonington was awarded a Doctorate in recognition of his achievements as a mountaineer and a writer.

• A photograph of Sir Chris Bonington is available from the Press Office. See contact details below.

For further media information and photographs, please contact Rachael Ellis in Corporate Communications on (01274) 233084/0787 9437986 or Claire Holmes on (01274) 233089. Alternatively, e-mail press@bradford.ac.uk or fax on (01274) 236280.

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