(l-r): Nick Hood, organiser of the lecture tour; Rob Caskie and Charles Williams, owner of Caerhays Castle, where the south west event was staged.
Rob Caskie delivers his talk at Caerhays Castle.
‘Inspiring’ talk raises money for Help For Heroes
A talk on the Anglo-Zulu wars attracted over 80 people and contributed a healthy sum to the Help For Heroes charity.
The talk – delivered by South Africa-based Rob Caskie – was delivered as part of a national tour which aims to raise £100,000 for the charity.
The only venue on the tour in the south west was at Caerhays Castle in Cornwall.
“A spectacular occasion,” said H4H volunteer coordinator for the south west, David Gammell.
“It was an inspiring presentation and Rob adored the location.”
At £30 a head, the talk raised at least £2,400 towards the target. But with the proceeds of a raffle and voluntary contributions yet to tally up, the final amount is still unknown.
At £30 a head, the talk raised at least £2,400 towards the target. But with the proceeds of a raffle and voluntary contributions yet to tally up, the final amount is still unknown.
“However, we expect it to be impressive and made all the more so by the generosity of sponsors who provided the location and the marquee,” said David.
Rob Caskie is the senior guide and principal lecturer at Fugitives Drift Heritage Lodge, in South Africa, where the wars are commemorated and described for visitors.
His talk focussed on the battle at Isandlwana, where over 1,700 British servicemen were camped.
They were attacked by a 23,000-strong Zulu force – armed only with hand weapons - which had been hidden in a valley. Almost immediately, the British force was surrounded.
The resultant battle was a major defeat for the heavily armed British Army and shocked the nation in 1879, when British forces had an invincible reputation.
Rob’s passionate talk described the bravery on both sides, the respect both armies held for each other and the many different characters who contributed to the day’s dramatic events.
“The audience was very receptive and appreciated all that was said as well as Rob’s passionate and skilful delivery.
“Many people had a chat with him afterwards, recounting their own recollections and connections with the Anglo-Zulu wars,” said David.
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6th July - Dear Charles ,
I would like to thank you most sincerely for so kindly having Karen and I to stay in your most magnificent castle and for hosting the Help for Heroes event.
Our stay is certainly one of the finest we have ever experienced in Britain and your hospitality and that of Malcolm is enormously appreciated.
Thank you too for the beautiful book about your home and the estate that you so thoughtfully signed. It will be a wonderful addition to my Library and a fitting reminder of a special stay at Caerhays in Cornwall.
Yours, Rob
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6th July - Dear Charles ,
I would like to thank you most sincerely for so kindly having Karen and I to stay in your most magnificent castle and for hosting the Help for Heroes event.
Our stay is certainly one of the finest we have ever experienced in Britain and your hospitality and that of Malcolm is enormously appreciated.
Thank you too for the beautiful book about your home and the estate that you so thoughtfully signed. It will be a wonderful addition to my Library and a fitting reminder of a special stay at Caerhays in Cornwall.
Yours, Rob