Tony Freake has friends in high places.

21,000ft high to be precise, in the remote mountain village of Phortse, Nepal.

It is here, in the shadow of Everest, that Tony, a 65-year-old former magistrate, has become the saviour of a 400-strong community for the past 13 years.

"It's another world. Quite a primitive world. But having said that, the people are beautiful, the place is beautiful and there's nothing like it, being up there in the mountains and villages. It really is quite amazing," says Tony.

Phortse is around 4,500 miles away from Tony's true home in Holyrood Road, Barnet, and half a world way culturally. For light, those fortunate enough to own one use a kerosene lamp.

For food, a cup of tea served with boiled potatoes is something of a delicacy. And for central heating, they fill their living room with yak. As in the 10ft long, 6ft high, ox-like beasts.

"When you go into one of the houses, you could easily be faced with a yak. The yak is there to warm the house, by providing heat," Tony laughs.

"I remember once when I was out there I almost fell on a yak. It was so dark in the house that as I came down from my bedroom, I almost fell on its horns!"

A newly-retired Tony Freake first came across Phortse, yaks and all, on a mountain trek in the Himalayas in 1989. Upon seeing the village he was both amazed and disheartened. Amazed by the beauty of the place and the spirit of the people. Disheartened that they were forced to live in such poverty and squalor.

"I suppose the moment that moved me most was when I saw the school. Unfortunately, it had been neglected; no maintenance had been done. The windows were broken, the doors were hanging off, there were holes in the corrugated roofing. The three teachers who worked there had nowhere to stay they would sleep on the floor.

"I saw there was obviously a problem. I told them 'I will come back and help you'. I fell in love with the village. My whole life changed."

It was the start of a long-lasting relationship.

Tony would visit the village two to three times a year, every year. He helped them build a monastery, a medical centre, a school, and a hostel for the teachers despite having no previous experience of architecture or construction.

He flew in materials via helicopter and trekked for miles across the perilous mountains carrying timber to help them build.

Now he is planning to give Phortse electricity.

"It will certainly help them in their everyday life. Imagine, nine o'clock, it gets dark, you have to go to bed.

"For fire, you have to use wood, which in turn causes deforestation through cutting down trees. Electricity will enhance their lives that little bit more."

It will further endear Mr Freake to the people of Phortse, where he is already viewed in the highest regard. People rush to see him whenever he makes one of his visits, and have even given him the nickname of "Papa" as a mark of their affection.

As a result of his tireless dedication to this isolated speck on the Himalayas, he is now regarded as a hero among many of the villagers.

"I'm not a hero" says Tony. "I'm a person who saw there was a need, and have helped to overcome that need."

- If you would like to find out more about Tony Freake's work in Phortse, or help to raise money for his electricity project, contact him by email at Tony@freake.fsnet.co.uk

June 11, 2002 18:30