Genre: Talks

Terry Pendry was the Stud Groom and Manager to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at The Royal Mews, Windsor Castle for 28 years where he was responsible for looking after her private horses and ponies.

Terry’s journey from very humble beginnings has taken him to the pinnacle of horse culture. You may know him from the image of him standing on the Long Walk at Windsor castle with Carltonlima Emma paying his respects to the late Queen Elizabeth.

In this illustrated talk, Terry looks back at his life. Beginning his career as a professional jockey, he then became a member of The Riding Staff for The Household Cavalry Blues and Royals Regiment and was installed as a Military Knight of Windsor in February 2023. 
All profits will go to the Fell Pony Society.

1h 30m including Q&A

Big Fish Comedy Club brings new voices in comedy to venues across Cumbria. 

With 3 fabulous comedians hand-picked from the North West scene and beyond, bringing their freshest jokes to enjoy the unique 'big fish in a small pond' experience that Cumbria has to offer. 

Come and catch the next big thing before they're (really, really) famous.  

Silky 
Put it simply, Silky is a bit of a legend!
A triple threat: comedian, musician, improviser. No two shows are the same, but they’re all joyful.

‘a very, very funny fella … just brilliant’ John Bishop

‘funny & clever’ Tim Minchin
“far better guitar playing than is required for a comedy show” Stewart Lee

Sallyann Fellows
Leicester Square Comedian of the Year Winner - the marvellous and infectiously funny Sallyann Fellows joins us for another rip-roaring evening!

"It was a pleasure to be in your joyful, joyful world, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Wonderful." Zoe Lyons

"A natural performer, I'd love to see her again. Fantastic." Jen Brister

Al Stevenson
Our headline act is Al Stevenson, the sharp-witted lad from Newcastle, with “bulletproof confidence” (Stand Newcastle). His charm allows him to tear through an audience with a cheeky grin. His “relentlessly hilarious” (Carl Hutchinson) performances of his “brilliant jokes” (Jack Whitehall) have seen him go all the way to the “Beat The Frog World Series Finals”, be tour support for Mark Nelson, international comic Kevin James Thornton and many more, and sellout the prestigious Stand Comedy Club with his debut solo show!

Hosted by our resident MC: Steph Bradshaw @_stephbradshaw

Doors Open: 7pm / show starts 7.30pm (finishes around 9.30pm)
Suitable for 18's and over. 

£12.50 pp thereafter. £10pp for Groups of 6+

Julie Summers, Sandy Irvine's great niece and Everest historian and member of the 1999 team that found Mallory's body, Jochen Hemmleb, in conversation with Rebecca Stephens MBE.

It was with a pencil and notebook that Rebecca Stephens first went to Everest to report on an expedition for the Weekend FT, in 1989. Fascinated by the mountain, she returned to climb it in 1993 – the first British woman to reach the summit, and the following year, to complete the seven summits.

Her travels as a writer have taken her from the Arctic to Antarctica, Africa and the Himalaya, and today she leads treks around family and work - writing, lecturing, coaching, and leadership consultancy. Her book titles include On Top of the World, The Seven Summits of Success, Everest Eyewitness Guide, Due South, and Making it Happen: Lessons from the Frontline of Strategy Execution. 

2h  (Inc Interval)

Everest Image © Jochen Hemmleb
Hazard, Mallory, Beetham and Sandy Image © The Warden and Fellows of Merton College Oxford

In September 2024, at the age of 68 and 74 respectively, renowned British mountaineers Mick Fowler and Victor Saunders made the first ascent of Yawash Sar, a 6,258m peak in Pakistan known as the ‘Matterhorn of the Khunjerab’.  This daunting mountain had withstood attempts from previous teams.   It took Fowler and Saunders a total of 7 days to climb.

These Pioneering Pensioners are coming to Rheged to tell the story of their long history of climbing together.  They first travelled together to Pakistan nearly 40 years ago and have an unequalled record of serious alpine ascents together in the Himalaya.  In the Autumn of 2026, they are attempting an unclimbed face on a 19,000 peak in China and the Rheged audience will be the first to hear their story of this climb alongside all the others.  

Mick Fowler, also known as ‘the climbing taxman’, spent his career working for HMRC. Around his day job. Part of Mick’s story is his remarkable recovery from two bouts of bowel cancer.  He is a three-time recipient of the Piolets d’Or or ‘Golden Ice Axe’, sometimes referred to as ‘the Oscars of mountaineering’ and author of many books, all short listed for the Boardman Tasker. 

Victor Saunders is a mountain guide based in Chamonix. In 1987, he shot to fame alongside Fowler when the pair made the first ascent of the ‘Golden Pillar’ on Spantik, a 7,027m peak in the Pakistani Karakoram. He has summited Mount Everest six times, climbed the seven summits and is the author of a number of books, including the Boardman Tasker winning Elusive Summits. 

2h (Inc Interval)

Films TBC over the Festival weekend once the competition winners have been announced.

Join us for a special evening celebrating the spirit of adventure, with a lovingly curated selection of films from the Kendal Mountain Festival.

Bringing together powerful stories from around the world, the 'Best of Kendal' collection features stunning, people, passion, and a shared love of the outdoors that connects us all. Whether it’s climbing, running, exploring, or simply finding joy in wild places, these films reflect the experiences that resonate close to home.

Come along, meet fellow enthusiasts, and be inspired together. It’s a chance to gather, connect, and celebrate the adventurous spirit that makes our community special.

2h 30m inc interval

Join Community Action Nepal for an Evening with our brilliant patron, Leo Houlding. Leo will walk us through some of his recent amazing adventures. Climbing, exploring and enjoying all the world has to offer. It is sure to be an unforgettable talk and the evening will be finished off with the premiere of the brand-new Community Action Nepal film - Dear Doug Scott.

2h 15m inc interval