A prolific author and accomplished speaker, Andrew Hignell is a retired Geography teacher who gives talks on two of the passions in his life - Geography (Natural Hazards) and Cricket. Andrew has spoken on both of these topics at national and international conferences, as well as giving presentations on cruise ships, and appearing on TV and Radio. Indeed, Andrew worked on BBC Radio Wales for over 25 years when he combined a career as a Geography teacher at leading independent schools with working on cricket commentaries for the BBC.

In 2004 Andrew become the Heritage and Education Co-Ordinator at Glamorgan Cricket where he manages the award-winning Museum of Welsh Cricket. It is the first sports-specific Museum in Wales, besides being the venue throughout the year where Andrew gives regular talks to adult and school groups besides hosting monthly talks during the winter with past and present players, as well as a range of other cricketing celebrities. You can view these talks by visiting https://www.cricketmuseum.wales/museum-talks/ and https://www.cricketmuseum.wales/glamorgan-ccc-anniversary-talks/

In addition, Andrew has continued to act as a teacher and private tutor for students studying Geography at various schools in South Wales, in addition to being a consultant to the Met. Office and helping them with the educational content on their website. The author of other 30 books, Andrew holds a Ph.D. in Geography from Cardiff University, besides acting as an editor of various books for the Welsh Academic Press, as well as being a mentor and advisor to various university departments and research students. Overall, Andrew has a wealth of knowledge and expertise about both Cricket and Natural Hazzards, and provides entertaining and thought-provoking talks with plenty of good humour also interwoven.

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NATURAL HAZARDS

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1. Natural Hazards: An overview - this talk outlines the different types of Natural Hazard including Climatic, Tectonic. Glcial, Hydrological, Biological and Cosmic. This talk also includes a section looking at how Earth Scientists analyse and classify the different type of Hazards, as well as modelling their impact.

2. Plate Tectonics – an introduction to the internal structure of the Earth and the theory of Plate Tectonics, together with a fascinating discussion about the concept of Continental Drift. Attention is also paid at the end of the talk to Hot Spot Theory and how Hazards could be generated away from plate boundaries.

3. Earthquakes – this talk explains why seismic activity takes place, including tremors and quakes, as well as outlining some of the most devasting earthquakes in world history. The talk also finishes with an overview about how the effects can be reduced and whether man-made earthquakes could be a solution to managing plate movements in some areas.

4. Tsunami’s – another well-illustrated talk looking at the issues relating to submarine earthquakes and the generation of tidal waves and tsumani’s. An analysis is made of the 2004 Boxing Day Tsumani, looking in particular at strategies to cope with these natural hazards, especially in low-lying island communities.

5. Volcanoes – this talk explains why volcanic activity takes place, both on land and at sea, and the different types, including active, dormant and extinct volcanoes. By using a series of case studies, this talk outlines the different type of volcanoes as well as the hazards which are produced, and how management policies could be put in place so that people can safely live in volcanic areas

6. Supervolcanoes – this talk looks at the potentially most deadly type of volcanic eruption and the global hazards which could be created, including the so-called volcanic winters and mass extinctions which are known to have happened in geological time. Once again, use is made of case studies and the known effects which occurred millions of years ago.

7. Meteorite Impacts – this talk focusses on the impact of meteorite strikes on Planet Earth and, in the case of one in the Gulf of Mexico, the devastating effects which were caused, including the extinction of the dinosaurs. Attention is also paid to the monitoring of meteorite paths and looking at what could be done to predict and prevent these devastating consequences.

8. Tropical Storms – this talk explains the meteorological processes involved in the creation of tropical storms, including hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones. By drawing on case studies, the talk looks at the devasting consequences and what steps could be taken to predict these storms and mitigate the negative effects.

9 Tornadoes – another well-illustrated talk looking at the creation of tornadoes and the impact of some of the most powerful tornadoes in recent history. Once again, this talk also looks at the management strategies which can be employed to reduce the negative impact of this natural hazard.

10. Droughts and Heatwaves – this talk outlines the link with meteorological processes and the build-up of a blocking anticyclone which can lead to prolonged periods of high temperatures and the absence of any significant rainfall. By drawing on case studies from developed and less developed countries, this talk also looks at management strategies and what could be done in the future of global warming continues.

11. Floods – this talk explains the different type of floods – river, coastal or snow/ice melt – and the devastating consequences which can be produced. The talk also looks at the trigger mechanisms, including prolonged periods of rain, monsoons, a sudden rise in temperatures in periglacial areas, and sub-glacial volcanic eruptions, as well as human activity, including deforestation in upland areas. A range of flood management strategies are also outlined.

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CRICKET TALKS

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1. Meadowland to Multinational - A history of cricket tracing the evolution of the game from the grassy downlands of Sussex and Kent in the 17th century to the hustle and bustle of modern-day Test Matches, Twenty20 internationals, the Indian Premier League and The Hundred.

2. Love and Waugh- A talk outlining the history of the Ashes, looking at the way the sport's iconic trophy mysteriously came into being in the 1880s, as well as looking at some of the highlights of the England-Australia Test Matches including the notorious Bodyline series in 1932/33, Botham's Ashes in 1981, the success of Australia under Steve Waugh and the victories by England in 2005, 2009 and 2015..

3. Rain Stops Play - A fascinating analysis of the impact of the weather on the British summer game, looking at both how much playing time is lost besides suggesting some ingenious solutions of overcoming these disruptions, especially in a potentially warmer and wetter world as a result of Global Warming, as well as looking how the summer game could be staged in a more sustainable and eco-friendly way.

4. WG to KP – Great Moments in English Cricket: this is a two-part talk tracing some of the great names and feats in English cricket, including WG Grace, Jack Hobbs, Wally Hammond, Don Bradman, Len Hutton, Jim Laker, Fred Trueman, Ian Botham, Graham Gooch, Mike Gatting, Andrew Flintoff, Ben Stokes and Kevin Pietersen.

5. From Pigeons to a Mouse - an enthralling presentation looking at how the coverage of cricket by the Media (newspapers, TV and radio) has changed over the years, looking at the reports in the 19th century which outlined the balls and dinners associated with grand matches, as well as how reporters sent information using carrier pigeons from matches to the newspaper offices and the modern coverage on satellite TV, social media and websites.

6. A tribute to “Test Match Special” - this talk recalls some of the great characters involved in BBC Radio's "Test Match Special" programme. Brian Johnston, John Arlott, Chris Martin-Jenkins, Henry Blofeld and Fred Trueman are just some of the names recalled, along with the BBC's current cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew, and some of the memorable gaffes which have made TMS such a much loved programme.

7. Great West Indian Batsmen - the Caribbean islands have produced some of the world's greatest batsmen and this lecture recalls the impact which the likes of the three W`s, Garry Sobers, Viv Richards and Brian Lara have had on the great summer game.

8. Great West Indian Bowlers - ever since their first-ever win at Lord's in 1950s, thanks to the spin of Ramadhin and Valentine, the West Indies have been indebted to their bowlers, and this lecture charts the success of - in the words of the famous calypso, "those two little friends of mine" - as well as modern greats such as Malcolm Marshall, Courtney Walsh, Curtly Ambrose, Andy Roberts and Michael Holding.

9. With Pace and Fire: A History of West Indian Cricket - this talk looks at some of the sociological aspects behind the rise of West Indian cricket at the international level and its success from the 1970s onwards under Clive Lloyd, Viv Richards and Brian Lara. Recent issues, relating to Sir Allen Stanford and the success of Chris Gayle and t20 cricket are also explored in this talk.

10. Cricketers Brave: the lives and deaths of cricketers during the World Wars - this talk looks back at some of the men who gave their lives for King and Country during the two World Wars, as well as recalling some of the remarkable stories of bravery which took place during these years of global conflict. This lecture pays a fitting tribute to those who have allowed future generations to enjoy cricket in peacetime.

The following recent Cruise History has been recorded for this candidate.