Sir Ran still loves Somerset

He has climbed Everest and trudged across the Antarctic, but British superhero Sir Ranulph Fiennes still likes to enjoy taking in the place where it all started for him, he tells BERNARD BALE

- BERNARD BALE

There are not many places Sir Ranulph has not wandered, but he reveals that he likes nothing better than revealing that he lives in Somerset.

“We have had a farm on Exmoor for years and we get the best of everything – snow, ice, rain – oh yes, some sunshine too,” he says. “Somerset is well-known, so it is always with great pride that I tell people that I come from the place that makes the best cider and has some of the most beautiful countryside.

“I never thought I would be a farmer but we have had Aberdeen Angus cattle and sheep on the farm for a long time. My first wife, Ginny, loved it and when she died and encouraged me to find another wife I was fortunate enough to meet Louise and she loves it too. She is into horses and Somerset has good air for horses, I believe.”

Sir Ran – as his friends call him – is very supportive of the area and often turns up at local schools, such as the Chilton Trinity School when it opened a while ago.

“I like to help where I can and to encourage young people as much as possible. I have always had a spirit of adventure and it has got me into trouble but it has also helped me to go places and see things that I might never have experienced. I believe in encouraging that spirit of adventure in others, not sheer recklessness of course. Decent schools, scout movements and that kind of thing are great for getting young people on the right track. Because of where I live, I like to give something back to the community, so I support Somerset ventures and charities as much as I can.”