An ex-Oratory School pupil is spending seven months travelling 15,000 km along ancient tea trading routes as part of a documentary team.
Duncan McDade, of Henley, will edit and star in Tracing Tea, an eight part documentary celebrating the 350th anniversary of tea’s introduction to Britain. The team will travel through the Indian Sub-Continent, China, Central Asia, Iran and Europe, tracing ancient trading routes from Darjeeling to London.
The crew set off at the end of July, and will only be travelling in two tuk-tuks — automated rickshaws which have a top speed of just 35 m.p.h. Poor weather conditions have hampered their progress from Darjeeling, but they hope to complete their journey by February.
Duncan said: “We’re travelling without a political, religious or social agenda. The Tracing Tea team and I will take time to discover, record and, ultimately, present the stories of ordinary people in extraordinary places.
“In doing so we hope to showcase the rich cultural heritage, varying religious traditions and fascinating social practices lived each day by people along the route.
“We hope to also enrich our audience’s global understanding and challenge the dominant stereotypes that so often impact upon our relations with other people, other religions and other nations.”
To track the team’s progress, visit www.tracingtea.com
Published on 18 August 2008
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