The reception was far from chilly on 4 April 2024 for the Royal Geographical Society’s latest talk on Antarctica at Norwich School. The lecture was part of our series of public talks with local cultural organisations held at Norwich School and we are delighted to have long been the host site for the illustrious RGS in the East of England.
Our guide to the frozen continent was Professor Andrew Clarke, a highly respected ecologist who has spent over 40 years working in the polar regions for the British Antarctic Survey, enjoying (or enduring) 27 trips to Antarctica. This experience included spending a mind-boggling two consecutive winters on the continent and being part of the team that first discovered deep-sea hydrothermal vents.
Accompanied by a stunning slide show, Andrew detailed the history of pioneering exploration from the heroic age of Scott, Amundsen and Shackleton. He explained to the near capacity audience of RGS members, staff, alumni, parents and pupils what it is like to live and work on the coldest, windiest, driest and highest continent on Earth, which in 1983 recorded a record lowest temperature of −89.2oC.
Of course, it is the spectacular wildlife which presents much of the draw to the 35,000 tourists who flock to the region annually, and Andrew outlined the species of cetaceans, seals, penguins, albatrosses, terns and skuas that call Antarctica their home. His stimulating talk concluded with reflections on the existential threats to this fragile ecosystem, which is in the front line of global warming, as witnessed by the dramatic calving of icebergs on the western coastline.
Future talks – RGS dates for the diary for May 2024. ALL ARE WELCOME. Talks require booking in advance to secure your seat:
7 May 2024 at 17:00 to fit in with the school day as we hope many young people will be able to attend -Shackleton's ship beneath the ice: discovering the Endurance. In March 2022, Ernest Shackleton’s ship Endurance was discovered at the bottom of the Weddell Sea by the Endurance22 expedition. Our speaker, Professor John Shears, was the expedition leader. Join us to hear first-hand about the excitement of finally locating Shackleton’s lost ship.
16 May 2024 at 19:30. Geopolitics, conflict and the United Nations given by the eminent British diplomat Sir John Sawers who after many overseas postings, was British Ambassador at the UN in New York, before going on to head the Secret Intelligence Service, MI6. He will be in conversation with Nicholas Crane, former President of the RGS.
Those interested in international diplomacy might also be interested in attending a complementary lecture on a similar topic in June. Tickets are selling fast for the next Norfolk Cambridge Society lecture on 10 June 2024 when we will hear from Lord Macdonald – see: Lecture: Lessons from a Life in Diplomacy – Norfolk Cambridge Society . Simon McDonald is a former Head of the Diplomatic Service and now Master of Christ’s College, Cambridge. NB: Sixth Formers and adults only for this talk.
