"Traveling the Stans: Central Asia through the eyes of a Lonely Planet Travel Writer"

As part of the fundraising drive for the preservation of Westbourne Church, travel writer Mark Elliott will give an illustrated talk, sharing his passion for the 'Stans', the five former Soviet states of Central Asia

Mark Elliott has been writing travel guidebooks for three decades covering very varied destinations from Bosnia to Belgium, Taiwan to Turkey, Iran to Himalayan India. Many of his 70+ books were for Lonely Planet, including two editions of their Central Asia guide though his first trip to "the Stans' of ex-Soviet Central Asia was back in 1995 for original opus, Asia Overland. He has been back many times since, including three trips to Uzbekistan in the past five years. In his talk he hopes to illustrate how the traveller experience of the region has changed radically over recent years, making now a great time to visit.

Tickets cost £10.00 which includes a delicious cream tea. Places are limited and there is no online booking - please phone to reserve your place. Contact Rona Musker (07576 886065) or Mary Galloway (07732 760568)