A TEA room with a twist has opened in Crondall village, backed by two of the world’s greatest living explorers - Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Chay Blyth.

Explorers Tea Room has been launched by ex-Royal Navy officer John Wheeler and his wife Pam, in the Church Rooms opposite All Saints Church in Croft Lane.

The new cafe celebrates the Christian explorers who helped chart the earth and conquer its landmarks, and John and Pam hopes it will provide a much-needed meeting place in the village.

It has been dressed with old artefacts from Asia and information about well-known explorers such as Vasco da Gama and Captain Cook - as well as modern-day adventurers Chay Blyth, a personal friend of John and Pam’s, and Sir Ranulph Fiennes, both of whom have written letters of support.

John first met Chay while as a midshipman at Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, in 1974. Chay had by then rowed the Atlantic with Farnham man Captain John Ridgway in 1966 and sailed non-stop westwards around the world in British Steel in 1971.

As a well-known sports and exploration celebrity he was invited to take part in the sports competition ‘Superstars’. John was invited to help him with his rowing skills and spent some time with Chay rowing in the river Dart.

He completed the event and eventually came fifth, but he did win the rowing race so John’s claim is “I taught Chay Blyth to row after he had rowed the Atlantic” - a tongue in cheek comment with which Chay “politely agrees”.

Chay wrote: “Hi John and Pam, Good luck my friends with your new adventure! You’ll hopefully recall in 1974 at Britannia Royal Naval College helping me get fit to go on another adventure. I’ll drop in and try the splendid cakes again that Pam makes! Best wishes, Chay.”

Sir Ranulph, the holder of several endurance records and the first person to visit both the North and South Poles by surface means, added: “Dear John and Pam, what a superb idea. A place to meet up, enjoy wonderful food and good company. All the best, Ranulph Fiennes.”

Explorers Tea Room also incorporates an information and heritage centre to exhibit local businesses, accommodation and the history of Crondall as a village and the historic All Saints Church.

It is open Tuesday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.30pm and Saturday from 10am to 4.30pm, offering morning bacon sandwiches and tea, egg mayo and cheese crunch sandwiches, traditional English afternoon tea, cakes and children’s packages for their visits to Hook Meadow play ground.

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