The United Nations commission in Bangkok Thailand invites Richard to an historic ceremony marking the "coming into force" of a new transportation treaty for the whole of Asia
June 2007After nearly two years of planning, Richard sets out from Tokyo to drive the new Asian Highway to Europe in an Aston Martin with travel specialist Phil Colley. They arrived in London on schedule 49 days and 10,000 miles later.
Twin cheques for 83,000 Euros - the proceeds of all fund-raising efforts from the historic Asian Highway journey - were handed over to UNICEF officials at matching ceremonies in Newport Pagnell (historic 'home' of Aston Martin in the UK) and in Beijing by the company's sales director.
Driven Together, Richard's book of the historic first crossing of Asia's new highway to the West was published with the backing of a group of private investors. Go to www.driventogether.co.uk. Their story was told in The Author magazine, journal of the UK's writing community.
The Newport Muster, a community Heritage Event celebrating the Civil War garrison town of Newport Pagnell is launched and will be held in September. Go to www.newportmuster.org
Richard launches group wanting to turn old Aston Martin assembly plant into an Arts & Design Centre
Now it can be told: in November 2005 at Milton Keynes, District Judge N. Hickman ordered the accountant Grant Thornton to repay Richard £16,339 'loss of capital' plus £4000 in damages following a two-year battle in which he accused the firm of mis-selling him so-called 'precipice bonds'. Top city lawyers Reynolds Porter Chamberlain, acting for the accountants, insisted the author sign a five-year 'gagging' order not to disclose the outcome.
Indo–British team raised for 'Save Tigers' expedition across India.
New website www.wordgo.org.uk is launched for local history and social media publishing; first title Cromwell's Garrison Town has Civil War theme.
Australasia journey includes witnessing flash floods in northern India that drown 'many thousands' and 10th anniversary visit to orphanage in Bharatpur, Nepal. Go here