The story behind the legendary meeting in Africa in 1871 between the missing explorer Dr David Livingstone and the ambitious news reporter Henry Morton Stanley. How their meeting proved to be the newspaper scoop of the century, bringing Stanley world fame and notoriety; the widespread controversy, hostility and personal ridicule Stanley faced on his return to Europe and America after finding Livingstone; why their meeting was such a sensational news story – and why Stanley's four words became the most famous greeting in history.

SOME TESTIMONIALS ABOUT THIS TALK:

'Fran's lecture on Livingstone and Stanley was a veritable tour de force, shedding light on the story from so many different perspectives, but with a marvellous lightness of touch. Everyone was gripped from start to finish. Graham Bartram, LANCASTER AND MORECAMBE U3A

'As I am sure you realised, your talk on Stanley and Livingstone was massively well received this afternoon! It was informative, fascinating, illuminating and delivered with pace and wit.' Jill Wilson, Speakers Secretary, PERSHORE U3A

'Thank you for another very interesting lecture last Wednesday. You certainly could not have packed-in more information into an hour's talk! I'm sure that most of the audience were (like me) almost totally ignorant of the lead-up to the encounter between Stanley and Livingstone, so you gave us an "educational" lecture in the best sense – both informative and interesting.' John Beynon, Chairman, RETIRED MEMBERS SURREY

'On behalf of Tonbridge U3A, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my thanks to you for, yet another of your absorbing and compelling stories – this time, on the famous words "Doctor Livingstone, I Presume?" All I can say is: "What a story!" Who would have thought there was so much intrigue surrounding just a few words? I found the talk extremely interesting, with a few surprising facts about both Dr. Livingstone and Henry Stanley. An unimaginable journey of two remarkable men. As before, your talk was given with great enthusiasm of this epic encounter. Feedback from those present was very positive, so thank you for a very informative and entertaining afternoon. I will almost certainly be in touch again, so hope I'm not running out of your many stories of intrepid adventures.' Chris Jarman, Speaker Secretary, TONBRIDGE U3A

'Your talk on Stanley and Livingstone was just amazing and much appreciated – thank you so much.' Tess Powell, Speaker Secretary, HAMMERSMITH & FULHAM U3A

'I have had lots of feedback regarding your talk on Stanley and Livingstone, and all of it good. Result!!' Lesley Cartwright, Speakers Secretary, St NEOTS U3A

'Thank you for your talk on Stanley and Livingstone. Everybody who I spoke to afterwards found it very interesting, and we had a very good attendance.' Margaret Walton, Speaker Secretary WOKINGHAM U3A

'The members certainly enjoyed your talk on Stanley and Livingstone – I got lots of very positive feedback.' Pauline Hewitson, Speaker Secretary, ELY U3A

'Thank you so much for an exhilarating and entertaining talk on Stanley and Livingstone, which was enjoyed by everyone. The feedback has been excellent!' Linda Evans, Speaker Secretary, WALSALL U3A

'The meeting was well attended and the talk from Fran Sandham enjoyed by the audience. The amount of research he had done about the meeting of Dr Livingstone and Henry Stanley was incredible and very well presented.' Tony Gray, Chairman, BOURNE U3A

'Thank you once again for your talk on Stanley and Livingstone yesterday, I had a lot of very positive feedback.' Lynn Brinkworth, Speakers Secretary, BALSALL COMMON U3A

'An impressive talk on Stanley and Livingstone, both detailed and entertaining.' BURY ST EDMUNDS U3A

'Thank for your talk on Stanley and Livingstone this afternoon. It was very interesting and very well received by your audience.' Val Foley, Speaker Secretary, RAYLEIGH U3A

'Thank you so much for your very interesting talk about Stanley and Livingstone. Several members have told me how much they enjoyed your talk & how little they all knew about Stanley – what a character. Just a couple of the comments: "What an enthusiastic speaker!"; "Fantastic talk"; "That was a super talk Fran Sandham gave – so informative & interesting – he's a very engaging speaker."' Sue Mayne, Speaker Secretary, MARLOW U3A

'Thank you so much for a wonderful illustrated talk on Stanley and Livingstone.' Jim Dwyer, Chair, SAFFRON WALDEN U3A

'Thank you for a brilliant talk on Stanley and Livingstone yesterday. Not only did I thoroughly enjoy it, but everyone I spoke to after our meeting was full of praise for your talk.' Glynis Evans, Chair, LEA VALLEY U3A

'I thoroughly enjoyed your talk on Stanley and Livingstone yesterday.' Carol White, Speaker Secretary, RADCLIFFE ON TRENT U3A

'Thanks so much for your talk on Stanley and Livingstone yesterday. It was most fascinating and the feedback was very positive.' Brian Hinners, Speaker secretary, SOAR VALLEY U3A

'Thanks for your very interesting and informative talk on Stanley and Livingstone.' Pippa Holliday, Chair, BECCLES U3A

'Many thanks for an excellent talk on Stanley and Livingstone yesterday, I am sure that it was enjoyed by everyone.' Bob Mansell, Speaker Secretary, DORRIDGE U3A

'Everyone enjoyed your talk on Stanley and Livingstone very much.' Carol Wrate, Speaker Secretary, MEDWAY U3A

'Fran gave us the fascinating history of two famous 19th century pioneers, Dr Livingstone, who was looking for the source of the Nile, and Henry Morton Stanley, who was looking for Dr Livingstone. It was a very exciting tale, told with much enthusiasm and humour.' SOUTHPORT U3A

'Your talk on Stanley and Livingstone was very much enjoyed. I could see people were very engaged, and I, for one, learnt a lot about those two characters.' Rosemary Woodward-Court, Speaker Secretary, PRINCES RISBOROUGH U3A

'Your talk this morning on Stanley and Livingstone was very impressive, not just because of your very comprehensive research, but your presentation and illustrations were of real and NEW interest to many of us listening. Many folks commented to me how much they enjoyed your talk, and I have even received two emails which has not happened before and I have been in this role for three years now. So, well done.' Lesley Waller, Speakers Secretary, SARUM U3A

'Your talk went down well and I personally know more about Livingstone and Stanley than I did before.' Trudy Donachie, Speaker Secretary, PEMBURY U3A

'A very good talk on Stanley and Livingstone – I have had some very good comments.' Jenny Butlin, Speaker Secretary, MARKET HARBOROUGH U3A

'Fran's talk on Dr Livingstone and Henry Morton Stanley was vividly illustrated in both words and pictures, and presented much interesting background of the lead-up to their famous meeting in Africa.' SOUTH SOLIHULL U3A

'Great talk on Stanley and Livingstone' John Johnson, Speaker Secretary, WALLINGFORD U3A

'Fran's tales about Stanley and Livingstone were fascinating.' ASHBY U3A

For more testimonials from talks please visit www.traversa.co.uk (under 'NEWS' tab).