Shackleton in the news

On the 150th anniversary of his birth, Sir Ernest’s achievements were honoured in a very special celebration in Westminster Abbey.  

Following the traditional Choral Evensong on 15 February a private dedication ceremony was held in the Abbey’s South Cloister, close to a memorial to other pioneering sailors – Captain James Cook, Sir Francis Chichester and Sir Francis Drake.

This iconic new Shackleton memorial was created by sculptor Will Davies and incorporates stones including Connemara marble and Kilkenny limestone to reflect Shackleton’s Irish heritage. The event was attended by representatives of the James Caird Society, The Scott Polar Research Institute and the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust, amongst others, and the memorial stone was dedicated by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle. HRH The Princess Royal, Patron of the UKAHT, unveiled the memorial.

Picture by kind permission of Dean and Chapter of Westminster/Picture Partnership

 

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Please see Events for details of  a 150th Anniversary Conference to be held at the RGS from Friday 17 to Sunday 19 May

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In other Shackleton-related news judging will soon be taking place to decide on this year’s  recipient of the annual Shackleton Medal for the Protection of the Polar Regions. The medal, now in its third year, comes with ten thousand GBP of prize money for the winner. The panel of judges, which includes JCS President Alexandra Shackleton, is looking for an individual who has demonstrated courage, determination against the odds and leadership in their work to promote understanding of and protection of the poles. Marine biologists, campaigning filmmakers, scientists and explorers are among the professions encouraged to apply.

Nominations will be open until April 5. More information is available here in this short film about the award.