Maxine Willett reports on a not so regular day for the Mountain Heritage Trust Archivist when she is interviewed for the BBC's Countryfile programme. To find out more read on...

Well this Monday morning saw me feeling like some character from a Bronte novel as I tripped across Ilkley Moor with the wind whipping my hair around. I was there in order to do an interview for BBC's Countryfile programme. The reason for the interview was that the Countryfile crew were wanting to do a comparison exercise between modern day mountaineering gear, what mountaineers would have worn in the 1920's and what Neolithic man was wearing way back when. I took with me the replica clothing which was reconstructed following extensive scientific analysis of the clothing George Mallory was wearing when his body was discovered on Mount Everest in 1999.

The presenter, (not John Craven alas!), but Adam Henson was suitably impressed with the clothing, remarking on how tactile it was. Adam's faith in the clothing's abilities were put to the test later in the day by him donning the full six layers and entering the cold room at Leeds University, which had a recorded temperature of -30° centigrade!! Not sure how the Neolithic kilt will cope, or rather what's underneath said kilt…

The report will be featured in this week's Countryfile programme, Sunday 10th February showing on BBC 1 at 11.00 am.

For further information please contact Maxine Willett on 01768 840911 or maxine@mountain-heritage.org

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