Over the past year, the Society has celebrated the anniversary of the Shackleton Memorial in Westminster Abbey and enjoyed fascinating presentations from Patrick Harkness on the Shackleton Lunar Rover Expedition and Ali Gellatly on the conservation of the RRS Discovery at our May dinner.

Progress continues across several important partnerships, including a youth sail training initiative, the forthcoming George Marston Exhibition at the Royal Geographical Society (January-March 2027), and the development of a new Photography and Leadership Award for young people in collaboration with the RGS, Magnum and the Elizabeth Lornie Trust.

We welcome the Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust’s plans to mark the fifth anniversary of the discovery of Endurance at the RGS in March 2027 and are working with the South Georgia Heritage Trust on a major wildlife baseline survey following the successful rat eradication programme.

The Society is delighted to present the 2026 Shackleton Leadership Award to Aydin Meghani of Alleyn’s School, a member of the Southwark Schools Learning Partnership.

We look forward to an exciting programme over the next few months including The Antarctican in London in December, the Shackleton Memorial Service at Westminster Abbey on 15 February 2027, our May and November 2027 dinners at Dulwich College, and Dame Barbara Rae’s Charting South exhibition at the Royal Scottish Academy (November & December 2026).