Our public lectures series continued on 8 February 2024 when we were delighted to welcome the illustrious Royal Geographical Society back to the Blake Studio.

This latest talk was given by internationally renowned wildlife photographer Paul Goldstein entitled “Predators”.  Paul is an obsessively dedicated and extraordinarily talented photographer, whose images are often used by the national papers and leading magazines. He is an inveterate adventurer who has guided wildlife trips all over the world, and, as a dedicated conservationist, is well known as a powerful advocate for endangered species. When not on expeditions, he is often found at the safari camps he owns in Kenya, sharing his passion for the country, its flora and fauna. Paul is also a dedicated fundraiser, being a serial marathon runner, even climbing Mt Kilimanjaro dressed as a tiger and running a marathon down from Everest base camp (also in tiger costume).

His sumptuously rich slide deck of 217 of the most memorable wildlife images you are ever likely to encounter entranced the full auditorium of RGS Members, adventurers, staff, parents, ONs and pupils of all ages.  His material was intentionally inspiring, encouraging us to seek out that killer image (pun intended). With great humour, insight and charisma, the audience were held spellbound for over an hour, then afterwards for questions and over refreshments.

Accompanying his images Paul liberally sprinkled the inevitable hard-hitting and sobering conservation messages that underlie these wonderfully photogenic predator subjects: melting of ice in the Arctic messing with polar bear hunting techniques; the impact of habitat loss in the Amazon and in tiger territories; climate change and poaching affecting the big cats and other large fauna of the African bush.

For other RGS events to be held this spring, please see their events listing for the East of England: Upcoming events - RGS. We look forward to the next RGS talk back on the school site on 12 March where, in a wide-ranging talk, Norfolk-born FRGS Tom Parfitt tells the story of his epic journey from the Black Sea to the Caspian, across the flanks of the wild Greater Caucasus mountain range in southern Russia. All are welcome. For advance booking see: High Caucasus: a mountain quest in Russia's haunted hinterland - RGS

Details of all the upcoming cultural offerings at school this Lent Term can be found here: At Close Quarters - Norwich School (norwich-school.org.uk).