October 2024
‘Endurance: an Amazing Tale of Antarctic Disaster and Ultimate Rescue' by Michael Parker
Arriving at The Bridge for October’s monthly meeting, I was surprised to be greeted by two gentlemen, kitted out as if for a polar expedition. I know that the weather has been unseasonably cold recently but voluminous balaclavas and wolfskin mittens seemed a little over the top! When Michael Parker introduced his talk - ‘Endurance: an Amazing Tale of Antarctic Disaster and Ultimate Rescue’ - all became clear. He showed us a map of Antarctica, overlaid with the outline of Australia and the UK, helping us to realise just how vast the continent is. We were informed of the various attempts by British explorers to reach the South Pole in the first years of the twentieth century and their disappointment when the Norwegian, Roald Amundson, beat them to it in December 1911. The focus of the talk was Shackleton’s ill-fated attempt in 1914 to traverse the continent and cross the Pole. Amundson had taken no photographer but Shackleton made sure that there would be photographic evidence of his expedition by taking F. Hurley who would make a visual record. Michael’s talk was accompanied by many of Hurley’s photographs, allowing us to see Endurance trapped in the ice of the Weddell Sea and the crew members making the best of their months on the ice, even playing football in one photograph! Eventually Shackleton led a very perilous expedition in a small boat back to Elephant Island and the whaling stations where they were able to get help and rescue. We were told how much their escape depended on luck but much of it must have been due to Shackleton’s leadership and inspiration.
The second half of the talk was equally fascinating. Michael - and his fellow-presenter John Reed - have collected many artefacts and garments which brought the talk to life. We were shown wooden skis, a Nansen cooking pot, snow shoes and whole outfits, complete with canvas strapping and three pairs of gloves to combat frostbite. I have often heard of pemmican and ship’s biscuits as the staple rations of hardy seafarers but never before seen them - or been given the recipe. I do not think I shall be adding those items to my culinary repertoire - too many calories for someone in their seventies! I have, however, been inspired to track down a copy of “Shackleton’s Boat Journey” by F.A.Worsley, the Captain of the Endurance and shall be reading it again with renewed interest after Michael and John brought the expedition so vividly to life for us.
Reported by Sue Smith
September 2024
Worcestershire Wildlife Trust presented by Gordon Forrest
Our speaker at the general meeting on 17th September was Gordon Forrest on behalf of Worcestershire Wildlife Trust and he took us via his wonderful photographs to the Ant Hill Meadow in Chaddesley woods. This part of the Forest of Arden is designated of Special Scientific Interest and is the 2nd largest woodland reserve in Worcestershire, dating back to 13th century. It contains areas of meadow within the woodland.
The meadow, land not ploughed for many years contains innumerable ant hills, constructions of the yellow meadow ant. (I confess, when I first saw the pics I thought they were mole hills overgrown by turf). The meadow is grazed by sheep to encourage growth of flowers and brambles to provide food and shelter for insects and nesting birds, notably long tailed tits. The sheep however manage to entangle their fleeces in the brambles and frequently need rescuing. The ants are a food source for the greater spotted woodpecker. Gordon was a riveting speaker with a long-standing association with this particular reserve and he treated us to a wonderful slide show of his excellent photography (and the hazards of utilising a hide when curious highland cattle are present) covering the elusive green woodpecker, the greater spotted woodpecker, the buzzard, now the most common bird of prey in Worcestershire, numerous butterflies and resident snakes and lizards, to name just a few. And, of course mention of the mammals and the great variety of flowers including orchids, birds-foot trefoil, Ladies Bedstraw and the beautiful stretch of Bluebell woodland. It was apparent that many members of the audience were already familiar with this site, and I would think that it would be a rewarding place to visit.
Those who were present at the meeting will realise that these notes have not done justice to this interesting talk.
Reported by Margaret Toole