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2020 Antarctic Place-Names mark 200th Anniversary of the Discovery of Antarctica

The Government of the British Antarctic Territory is delighted to announce 28 new place-names in the Territory.  These place-names honour those who have made an exceptional contribution to furthering the understanding, protection and management of Antarctica over the last fifty years, and whose achievements warrant highlighting alongside those of the early explorers. The UK Committee…

Blaiklock Island

As part of a regular series on the meaning of place-names in the Territory, this latest edition focuses on Blaiklock Island. Blaiklock Island in Marguerite Bay (67°32’40”S, 67°01’07”W) was named in 1955 for Kenneth Blaiklock, pioneering surveyor who died at the end of September 2020 aged 92. He was a surveyor at Stonington 1948-50, including…

Gazette #54 Published

The latest edition of the British Antarctic Territory Gazette was published today, 19 November 2020. This covers the period January to November 2020. This is an important record of all BAT legislation, orders, appointments. Read the latest Gazette in full

British Antarctic Territory celebrates inaugural Polar Pride Day

Today (18 November) the Government of the British Antarctic Territory (BAT) and the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) are celebrating the inaugural Polar Pride Day. This day demonstrates a commitment to support and enhance Diversity in Polar Science. To mark the day, while we cannot celebrate in person this year,…

British Antarctic Territory proud to engage with UK Government’s Blue Belt Programme

The UK Government’s Blue Belt Programme is today celebrating 4 years of success:   Jane Rumble, Deputy Commissioner for BAT, commented: “Over the last 4 years, the Blue Belt Programme has helped enhance our understanding of the Southern Ocean and its ecosystems, which are already feeling the impacts of climate change. The Blue Belt Programme…

Blog: Musings of a former Administrator

Written by: Stuart Doubleday / All photos credit: Stuart Doubleday This was my second stint working in Polar Regions Department. I came away the first time around, when I worked mostly on the Arctic, really wanting to be Deputy Head and Administrator of the British Antarctic Territory (BAT) one day. I feel very fortunate that I…

Legislative Review: Consultation

The Government of the British Antarctic Territory (BAT) have, for several years, been undertaking a complete review of the Territory’s suite of legislation. The aim of the review was to update the legislation to ensure it better reflects the needs and practicalities of the Territory and its stakeholders, as well as to simplify where possible…

Astronomers – Place-Names

As part of a regular series on the meaning of place names in the Territory, this latest edition focuses on areas relating to astronomers and their discoveries. The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), founded in 1820, encourages and promotes the study of astronomy, solar-system science, geophysics and closely related branches of science. Its headquarters in Burlington…

Amateur Radio Licences

Over the last 4 months the Falkland Islands Communication Regulator has been revalidating Falkland Islands Amateur Radio Licences. The key reason for this was to bring the Amateur Radio Licences into compliance with the Communication Ordinance 2019. However, this has thrown up that the British Antarctic Territory and South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands…

Stamp Competition: Meet the Winners!

We were delighted to recently announce the winners of the stamp design competition.  We are also happy to report that HM The Queen has approved all the designs in their stamp form. We think they make a rather nice and vibrant set.   The ‘Discovering Antarctica’ theme is well captured across the designs. Getting to know…