New fitness chief's link to famous explorer

Jul 4 2008 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

THE immortal line “I’m going outside: I may be some time,” is one that holds special meaning for fitness centre manager Richard Milne, pictured.

It was his great, great uncle, Capt Lawrence ‘Titus’ Oates, who uttered them as he left his tent for the last time during his fateful trip to the South Pole.

And 30-year-old Richard, who has just returned to his roots in Chester to manage the Total Fitness centre on Liverpool Road, admits that his links with the famous explorer play a key role in his life.

He said: “Oates really was a gallant gentleman. He gave up his life for the better good of the rest of his team and I find that very inspiring.

“I remember as a little boy being told about Captain Oates – how he won the 100m hurdles when he was at Eaton and about his amazing polar expedition. It had an enormous impact on me, knowing that I was related to somebody like that.”

Richard and his family are hoping to travel down to Selborne in Hampshire later in the year to visit the Oates Museum, which is dedicated to this famous explorer.

Neston-based Richard, a former pupil of Upton High School, is looking forward to his new role at Total Fitness, where he hopes to take customer service to new levels.