|
 |
| David Baker and his daughter Melanie joined Julian on a section of Phase Two of the Great African Expedition. |
| David Baker |
 |
David Baker is a retired RAF Group Captain who has also had a career in the Aviation industry and is now a Consultant on Regulatory Affairs. In the 70’s he served as an Attaché in Denmark, Finland and Sweden and in the 80s was a Superintendent at the A & A E E Boscombe Down, when that establishment made a major contribution to victory in the Falklands War. David, now 73, still works with Engineering Safety for projects associated with Machinery and Medical Devices. He is also passionate about skiing, but his knees are complaining! David is a churchwarden for the 1170 church in Chirton, and on committees for the Cannings and Redhorn Team of Churches. His wife, Gillie, is an active retired priest. They both love to go on holidays to places with an artistic or religious heritage. The Great African Expedition has inspired David to re-read Albert Nyanza, Sir Samuel Baker’s gripping account of his exploration of the sources of the Nile, and so appreciate Sam and Florence’s extraordinary determination and fortitude. Now David looks forward to visiting the very place from which Sam and Florence first saw Lake Albert Nyanza. What an opportunity ! |
| Melanie Baker |
 |
Eldest child of David and Gillie Baker, sibling to Sam and Amanda, Melanie’s life has provided her with an unusual mix of experiences. She travelled to Mexico after completing her A-levels, and attended a University there to study Graphics. Without completing her degree, she returned to UK to work in a graphics studio in London. Next stop was Italy for a year’s travel during which she gave herself time for painting and drawing. Upon her return to London, she started work in post-production (sfx) where she operated paintbox and learnt the workings of the tape room. Barcelona was calling! Two years’ work in post, having learnt some Catalan and studied traditional animation, she found herself back in London UK again, with one solo artshow of recycled metal artwork under her belt (Sitges, Barcelona). She continued welding creations from recycled metal for private commissions and art shows for the next two years (also fixing her own car). John, her partner, was offered work in Toronto, Canada – so they moved with their very young children, Max and Poppy. Life in rural Canada included the birth of a third child, Jasmine, in 2000, and sharing a home with three dogs and three cats. Melanie completed a diploma as Educational Assistant and began working in the school system with teenaged students who have special needs. She has continued with her artwork during her working school day, and separately, to place in art shows or for commission. Her art pieces have now included: wooden furniture, pencil drawings, painting, banners, more metalwork, fabric art and, most recently, theatre props. She is very excited to take part in this experience, is looking forward so much to spending the time learning, and is hoping to bring art equipment with which to portray modern day views of the same panoramas Sir Samuel Baker saw and painted.
|