A Night of Adventure

Join us for our third Night of Adventure - an opportunity to be transported to exotic and treacherous locations around the world without ever leaving your seat in the Kings's Arms Barn. We welcome to the stage 3 fabulous speakers to tell their tales from far and wide, as well as our host for the evening, who will likely also regale us with stories from his adventures across the globe and closer to home. 

Expect to be inspired as you listen to extraordinary tales of triumph in the face of adversity,  the joy of adventure, getting out of your comfort zone and the power of believing in yourself. 

Included in your ticket is a delicious meal courtesy of local culinary genius, Persian Delights. There will be a choice of jewelled rice and chicken or aubergine stew (gluten free and vegan), Persian breads and salads. There will also be a bar serving wine, beer and soft drinks - all profits from the bar will benefit the Chiltern Centre. 

We will end the evening by telling you a little about our next fundraising challenge to Morocco. Full disclousure, it is highly likely that you will come away from the evening so inspired that you'll be joining us next September in Morocco! 

The Speakers

Our Host - Marco Barcella 

Marco grew up in Glasgow with a Scottish mother and Italian father. His first real experience of travel was being bundled solo onto a bus aged 10 to make the journey to the south of Italy for a summer with his grandparents. It was then that Marco realised that getting from A to B could be an adventure in itself. Fast forward 10 years and you would find Marco travelling the world by bike, guiding groups up mountains, across continents and through deserts - getting to experience the best (and the worst) the world has to offer. After a few years away from adventure he rediscovered the joy of getting out of his comfort zone during lockdown and embarked on a crazy year of cold water, heavy lifting, tree climbing and some epic walks. Marco will host the evening and tell a few stories of his own. He tells us he won't show any pictures of his naked bottom this time #ifyouknowyouknow! 

Rebecca Watson

22 years ago Rebecca was diagnosed with epilepsy. The doctors said she would grow out of it ... but she's still waiting. The doctors told her that her life would have to change to manage the condition. Rebecca chose to prove them wrong. She has taken a year to travel the world solo, done polar expedition training to go on an arctic expedition, worked as a rescue medic in Cambodia for 6 months, volunteered in the Mountain Rescue team for 8 years, canoed the Great glen way, achieved her Mountain Leader Award – despite camping being one of her biggest fears due to epilepsy, worked as an outdoor instructor in the Middle East and UK, kitesurfed, white water canoed, rock climbed, climbed the 5 highest peaks in the British Isles in 5 days... the list goes on.
Through adventure, Rebecca reconnected with herself, learnt who she is, what she is capable of, how to support her mental health and much more. For years the doctor said NO but now, Rebecca has shown herself just what she is capable of and gained an appreciation of what and who is around her.

Marta Misztal

Marta Misztal is a hiker, adventurer, and a mountain climber. Her true passion for the mountains began 10 years ago when trekking through the Inca Trail in the Peruvian Andes. After this expedition, she started climbing increasingly more difficult mountains, and finally in May this year she climbed Everest.Marta’s goal is to climb Seven Summits (the highest mountain on each of the seven continents). She’s only left with Carstansz Pyramid (Puncak Jaya) to complete the challenge. She’s also on a mission to complete the Crown of Europe which is the highest peak in each European country. Having already reached 22 out of 48 peaks she’s got a good chance to be the first person in the world to complete both challenges together, so the race is on!

She also dreams of Explorer's Grand Slam, which is the Seven Summits challenge plus the North and South Poles. But, as she often says, "one step at a time", so she focuses on the crowns first before making further plans.

Nicky Button

9 years ago Nicky came home from skiing and was no longer able to see her daughter across the living room. Within nine months she was registered severely visually impaired/ blind. At the time Nicky was exceedingly busy as part of a team providing rigging and safety for stunt work in the tv and film industry. She was also white water rafting most weekends and part of an Urban search and rescue team. She returned to Devon and found solace in walking the coastal path, even joining several local walking groups. Feeling both the mental and physical benefits of walking regularly Nicky set up a walking group for people with sight loss. She spent last summer walking sections of the south west coast path wild camping along the way and carrying my own supplies. In the last year Nicky has climbed Ben Nevis and completed her first unguided 50km ultra challenge over Exmoor. Allow Nicky to share with you the unique way that she now 'sees' the world.