I’d Like To Know
Q My friend says there is a mountain in Bhutan that has never successfully been climbed. Can you tell me more please?
Miss R.R., Nairn.
A Although it may be difficult to believe considering the world’s tallest, Mount Everest, has been conquered innumerable times, there remain hundreds of mountains that have never been summitted.
For instance, despite being the 40th tallest mountain overall, Asia’s Gangkhar Puensum, in Bhutan, remains the highest mountain (at 7,570 metres) that has never been scaled, despite attempts. Mountaineering in Bhutan is no longer permitted due to the spiritual beliefs surrounding the mountains. Part of the Himalayas, Gangkhar Puensum can be translated as “white peak of the three spiritual brothers”.
While some of the unclimbed mountains may be smaller than the likes of Everest or K2, they can be more treacherous.
Q Whatever happened to David Lonsdale, who played the delightful David Stockwell in “Heartbeat”? I think he’s a superb actor.
P.M., Winchester.
A Since “Heartbeat”, in which the actor played David Stockwell in more than 250 episodes, the Lancashire-born lad has had appearances in many other popular TV shows including “Coronation Street” and “Emmerdale”.
More recently, he played the insurance official in the 2022 mini-series, “The Thief, His Wife And The Canoe”.
The actor, who appeared in movies “The Full Monty” and “Downton Abbey”, is also a radio presenter.
Q I’m curious to know when someone first hit on the idea of using massive billboards as a way of advertising?
Mr K.B., Doncaster.
A An American chap by the name of Jared Bell is credited with creating the first traditional billboard in the 1830s, and it was originally intended to highlight upcoming shows, such as circuses, in a bid to increase footfall.
Their popularity began to increase with the introduction of motor vehicles and subsequent highways, once companies realised their potential for drumming up business. The early billboards were labour-intensive as they were originally hand painted.