Making it to the top

The celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the first successful ascent of Everest, by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay on May 29 1953, culminate in a Royal Gala 'do' in the West End.

Veterans George Band - who has just published the colourful Everest: 50 Years On Top Of The World (Collins, £20) - George Lowe, Michael Ward, Michael Westmacott and Charles Wylie will be sharing their reminiscences of the original expedition with Stephen Venables, who has also just brought out another handsome tome, Everest: The Summit Of Achievement (Bloomsbury, £35).

The talks will be highlighted with a wealth of film footage and slides. Joining them will be the mandatory celebrities from the world of climbing and TV, including Jan Morris and Sir Chris Bonington, and the event is hosted by Sir David Attenborough.

There are two shows, the latter attended by the Queen and the Duke Of Edinburgh. Tickets cost £25 for the first show, £50-£75 for the evening show. Proceeds go to the Mount Everest Foundation.