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18 November declared Pride Day in the British Antarctic Territory and South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands

This week the Government of the British Antarctic Territory (BAT) and the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (SGSSI) will celebrate the contribution of LGBTQ+ people by declaring 18 November as Pride Day in the Territories. The declaration demonstrates a commitment to support and enhance Diversity in Polar Science. To mark the…

Blog: Thoughts from the Desk

Written by Eleanor Floyd. Three years ago I joined the Polar Regions Department as the ‘Desk Officer for Antarctica and the British Antarctic Territory’ at the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office.  Little did I know quite how varied the role would be and how much I would enjoy getting to know more about this unique…

Stamp Competition: Winners Announced

On 30 January 2020, we launched our stamp design competition for those aged 4 – 17 years.  The design theme was “Discovering Antarctica”. A panel of judges selected four winning designs from the four age groups.  These designs will become official postage stamps for the British Antarctic Territory. Six runners up were also chosen. We…

Pitt Islands

As part of a regular series on the meaning of place-names in the Territory, this latest edition focuses on the Pitt Islands. The Pitt Islands contain many place-names following the theme of characters from the Pickwick Papers, by Charles Dickens. The theme was chosen in 1959 and as June 2020 was the 150th anniversary of…

Stamp Competition: Meet the Judges!

On 12 May 2020 we closed our stamp design competition.  We have been delighted by the response – over 320 entries. Shortly, the judging panel will convene to decide on the winners and runners up. Meet the judging panel! Steve Brace Steve Brace is Head of Education and Outdoor Learning at the Royal Geographical Society…

Midwinter’s Day 2020

Today, 21 June, is Midwinter Day in the British Antarctic Territory.  This annual event, which has its origins with Captain Scott, marks the mid-point of the Antarctic winter. HM Commissioner to the British Antarctic Territory, Ben Merrick, has written to the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) personnel currently stationed in Antarctica. I am writing to send…

World Albatross Day, 19 June 2020

Today, 19 June, marks the first ever World Albatross Day.  The day pays tribute to these magnificent birds.  However, these are also troubling times. Many albatross species are facing threats from mice, rats, cats and pigs which were introduced on islands where the Albatross breed.  Fishing gear is also a major issue with thousands of…

Blog: 26 Seasons of Penguin Counting

Written by Ron Naveen, President of Oceanites With continued support from the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the Government of the British Antarctic Territory, the nonprofit science and education organisation, Oceanites, has completed the 26th consecutive field season of its unparalleled Antarctic Site Inventory (ASI) project. Antarctic Site Inventory (ASI) The ASI began in…

Blog: Port Lockroy’s postmaster

With thanks to the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust for this article Established over 75 years ago, as Britain’s first permanent base in Antarctica, Base A at Port Lockroy which stands on Goudier Island opened after Bransfield House was restored as a museum. Today it welcomes visitors to the site every summer season. Home to the…

HMS Erebus Coin – 2020

Our friends at Pobjoy Mint have released a new 50p coin, HMS Erebus. In the year which marks the 200 year anniversary since the discovery of Antarctica, the HMS Erebus coin celebrates the 220 years since the birth of Captain James Clark Ross. Captain Ross discovered the Antarctic’s largest ice shelf while commanding the ship…