Gainsborough: Babs Powell speaks about sailing challenge at luncheon club

The guest speak at the October meeting of Gainsborough and District Ladies Luncheon Club was former Pan’s People dancer Babs Powell.
Gainsborough Ladies Luncheon Club October meeting with guest speaker Babs Powell. Also pictured are Janet Hudson and Chairman Marion Dickinson G131011-3aGainsborough Ladies Luncheon Club October meeting with guest speaker Babs Powell. Also pictured are Janet Hudson and Chairman Marion Dickinson G131011-3a
Gainsborough Ladies Luncheon Club October meeting with guest speaker Babs Powell. Also pictured are Janet Hudson and Chairman Marion Dickinson G131011-3a

Babs is also well known for being the wife of heartthrob actor Robert Powell. They have been married for 38 years and have a son and daughter.

After 25 years of being a devoted wife and mother Babs’ life changed when she decided that she wanted to take part in the BT Global Yacht Challenge. On 10th September 2000, she set off on an extraordinary adventure to sail the wrong way around the world, despite never having sailed before. She raised £50,000 for charity.

This challenge was the subject of her talk and she spoke about the difficulties she faced, including a tsunami in which one of her companions was seriously injured. To illustrate the kind of clothes she had to wear, Babs had brought along a large selection of heavyweight waterproof clothing, boots and safety equipment. Treasurer Jill Weston was persuaded to model one such outfit, receiving much applause and laughter from members.

Babs has also trekked in Nepal, spent two weeks with a Guyana Jungle Expedition, building a wilderness research post in the Iwokarma Forest Reserve and has been part of a team in a Polar Race from Resolute Bay to the Magnetic North Pole taking around 20 days to complete. She has also completed several trips to the Himalayas, the Sahara desert and explored the South Pole with David Hempleman-Adams whilst raising thousands for charity.

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