Dauntsey’s enjoys visits from sailor Alex Thomson and historian Dr Bettany Hughes

As part of the School’s Mercers’ lecture series, Dauntsey’s has recently welcomed one of the world’s most talented offshore yachtsmen Alex Thomson and leading historian Dr Bettany Hughes to deliver fascinating talks to pupils and members of the local community.

Alex Thomson spoke at length about his experience sailing in the gruelling Vendee Globe race – ‘the Everest of sailing’. He explained that there are four years of hard work that go into each race and talked about managing his team, and the challenge of persuading his sponsors to fund each attempt at the race.

He spoke about the night his foil failed in the Southern Ocean and the realisation that, despite his commanding lead, his attempt to win the Vendee was over, and then about the shifting of his goals to allow him to fight all the way to the end and to second place. Alex spoke eloquently about working with a sports psychologist and shifting his mentality from “If I win I’ll be happy” to “If I am happy, I’ll win”, and he announced his recent decision to have one more go at the race in 2020. Alex was a compelling and entertaining speaker with a down to earth manner that everyone in the audience found accessible, enjoyable and inspiring

Dr Bettany Hughes visited Dauntsey’s more recently to present a lecture on her new book recounting the diverse city of Istanbul, aptly titled; ‘Istanbul: A tale of Three Cities’. Before the lecture, Dr Hughes joined a group of Sixth Formers for an hour’s discussion and dinner at the Head Master’s House. Conversation ranged from topics as diverse as the morals of industrialisation, to opiated wine which, according to Dr Hughes, the Ancient Greeks indulged in, which may well have been responsible for the wonders and fantasy described in the famous ‘Iliad’ and ‘Odyssey’.

Dr Hughes’ lecture focused on her new book which she has spent the last decade researching and writing. Due to the current turbulence of Turkey’s government she expressed her discomfort of having to write and re-write her introduction and conclusion based on the ever-changing political circumstances of both Turkey and Istanbul itself. As she explained, the current political change in Turkey and Istanbul is just another chapter in the city’s vibrant history. The historical and geographical significance of Istanbul being occupied by many empires and even besieged by the Vikings, combined with the cultural diversity seen in the city, vindicates Dr Hughes’ description of Istanbul as the ‘Greatest city on Earth’.

One sixth former from Dauntsey’s who attended both lectures said: “We feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to meet and talk to experts from the world of competitive sailing and history – two very diverse, but equally fascinating subjects. Both speakers were inspiring to listen to and made many of us think about our own achievements and life goals.”

The Mercers’ Lectures are named in recognition of the links between Dauntsey’s and the Mercers’ Company, which go back to Mercer founder Alderman William Dauntesey, Master of the Worshipful Company of Mercers, who founded the School in West Lavington in 1542.