Interested in South Georgia
Dr Mark Belchier tells us a history of the science work at KEP, its significance, and where next. We showed his recorded talk online in March 2026 as part of the 25th Anniversary Online SGA event and now you can see it on our YouTube channel.
SGA Talk – KEP @ 25 – The past, Present and Future of the King Edward Point Laboratory. Read More »
The South Georgia Governemnt is holding a reception at BAS HQ, Cambridge on Friday 27 March 2026 to mark the 25th Anniversary of the opening of the refurbished station buildings at King Edward Point, and their occupation by a newly-returned BAS presence, replacing the military garrison that had protected the island since 1982.
Details here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1980177018768?aff=oddtdtcreator
Schedule
13:30 – Doors open and time to mingle
14:00 – Welcome from Mark Belchier and Martin Collins
14:10 – Before 1982 – pre-invasion history of KEP (Andy Clarke)
14:30 – “Civilianisation” – the transfer of KEP from the military to GSGSSI (Pat Lurcock)
14:50 – Development of the current KEP station (Mark Belchier)
15:10 – Stories from the first winterers (Simon Morley, Judith Brown)
15:25 – Work hard, play harder – recreation at KEP
15:40 – Tea and coffee break
16:15 – Keeping the lights on – KEP infrastructure (Steve Brown)
16:30 – Boating at KEP (Sally Hesketh)
16:45 – The evolution of SGSSI science (Martin Collins)
17:00 – Research in action (Jaimie Cleeland, Kate Owen)
17:15 – What’s happening at KEP right now? (Live link with KEP station)
17:25 – KEP into the future
17:35 – Close
GSGSSI/BAS KEP 25 Reunion Read More »
The SGA is holding a two-day Summer Event in Cambridge on Friday 10 and Saturday 11 July.
Join us at the British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge, for our summer meeting with two days of informative talks and an event dinner at Homerton College. Grasp the opportunity to discuss aspects of the history, ships, and people who were there, and learn more about the art of South Georgia from contemporary artists. Whether you’re a long standing member, or a non-member of the South Georgia Association, or just fascinated by the island and the Antarctic, this event combines history, science and art, making it perfect for everyone.
We have several eminent speakers including Linda Widmark (descendant of Carl Anton Larsen); contemporary abstract landscape artist, Dame Barbara Rae RA; natural world and wildlife artist, Bruce Pearson SWLA; master mariner, Rear Admiral Nick Lambert, and Professor Emeritus, Bjørn Basberg, an industrial, whaling and maritime historian.
The first day will include the history of King Edward Cove, from the establishment of Grytviken in 1904 by C. A. Larsen, and the later building of the Discovery Investigations laboratory in 1924-25 by the UK at King Edward Point. After the cessation of whaling, scientific research continued until the 1982 conflict, and recommenced in 2001 after 19 years of military occupation. This year, the 70th anniversary of a ship inextricably linked with the military history of South Georgia, namely HMS Endurance (formerly Anita Dan), will be commemorated.
Reports from the South Georgia Heritage Trust and the Government of South Georgia will be followed by an Annual Members Meeting which will close the day.
On the Friday evening, there is a Drinks Reception and Event Dinner at Homerton College.
The focus of the second day is the art of South Georgia from past to present. The artwork of Norwegian whalers will be described by speakers from “Øyas Venner” and the Sandefjord Whaling Museum. Presentations by contemporary artists about their contrasting styles and subjects will highlight how art provides a dynamic interpretation of the island, its wildlife, and surrounding seas. The new sculpture, recently installed on the whaling plan at Grytviken, will be introduced by its creator, and add another dimension to the island’s art.
The 70th anniversary of RRS John Biscoe, another ship with strong connections to King Edward Point and Bird Island research stations, which landed field scientists around the island, and supported the Offshore Biological Programme, will also be celebrated.
And finally, in recognition of BAS moving to Cambridge 50 years ago, some paintings by the late Dick Laws (Director at that time) will be exhibited alongside other South Georgia art from the BAS Collection.
Option to join us for a 3-course evening meal on Friday evening at the Atrium, Gonville Hotel.
Numbers are limited on a first-come, first-served basis with SGA members given priority booking.
Some accommodation will be available at Homerton College.
| Item | Member | Non-Member |
|---|---|---|
| Single Day | £25.00 | £42.50 |
| Two Days | £40.00 | £57.50 |
| Dinner | £90.00 | £90.00 |
Here are the Programme and Dinner Menu for the SGA Summer Event and AGM 2026 in Cambridge:
July 2026 Event Programme (119.05 KB)
July 2026 Event Dinner Menu (86.97 KB)
SGA Summer Event and AGM 2026 – History and Art of South Georgia Read More »
The South Georgia Governement has published the Management Plan for the Marine Protected Area that surrounds the island. Read more about it and download the document here:
The South Georgia Association is pleased to present an online talk on Thursday 19 March 2026.
Who and What: The 25th Anniversary of the opening of a new Government Station at King Edward Point. Andy Clarke and Mark Belchier
After 19 years under the protecion of a British military presence, following the Argentine invasion pf 1982, a new station was built to replace the deteriorating buildings and a civilian presence was re-established, Run by the British Antarctic Survey, the station supports the South Georgia Government’s on-island personnel and a science programme.
Dr, Mark Belchier and Andrew Clarke will speak about: the early days of science from the Discovery Investigations until 1982; Life in and around Shackleton House; Marine and Fisheries Research since 2001; Future research over the next 25 years
There will be a short Question and Answer session and we hope to have a live link up with the folk at KEP
Where: The Comfort of your own Home, via Zoom
When: 1930 on Thursday 19 March Friday 17 January 2025 (1930 GMT for overseas viewers)
Cost: Free
Online SGA Talk – 19 March 2026 – 25th Anniversary of the New KEP Station Read More »
The Virtual Viola Project has brought back to life a historic vessel with an extraordinary history. Viola, later named Dias, is the oldest surviving steam trawler with its engines still intact and one of the few vessels still around which fought in WW1. On November 20 2025, Norman Court, from the Viola Trust, explained the background to the ‘Virtual Viola’ project before introducing the project’s film. The presentation was followed by short Question and Answer session.
Virtual Viola Project Presentation Video is Online Read More »
The South Georgia Association’s November 2025 Newsletter has been published.
It contains articles about:
Members’ paper copies will be in the post soon and the e-copy is online via the News menu above (If you need the password it will be emailed to members soon after publishing – it is the same as last time).
Older issues are free for anybody to download from the newsletters page of this website. (Now including last November’s Issue)
November 2025 SGA Newsletter Published Read More »
Earlier this year the South Georgia Government published their Terrestrial Protected Area Research and Monitoring Plan, drawn up to to guide scientific activities that will contribute to the sustainable management of the territory.
See this on the GSGSSI website:
Aternatively, if the GSGSSI link is not working, you can download it here:
GSGSSI TPA Monitoring Plan Read More »
The South Georgia Association is pleased to present an online talk on Thursday 20 November 2025 at 1930 GMT.
Who and What: Presentation by Norman Court of the Viola Trust.
The Virtual Viola Project has brought back to life a very historic vessel with an extraordinary history. Viola, later named Dias, is the oldest surviving steam trawler with its engines still intact and one of the few vessels still around which fought in WW1. On November 20, starting at 7.30 pm (UK time), we are excited to get a preview of the Virtual Viola film ahead of its official launch a week later. Norman Court, from the Viola Trust, will explain the background to the project before introducing the Virtual Viola film. So join us for a fascinating evening to hear how, though the whale catcher Dias remains at Grytviken, her former history and lives as part of the North Sea boxing fishing fleet and four years as a wartime patrol vessel involved in the sinking of two U-boats have been realistically recreated.
The presentation will be followed by short Question and Answer session.
Where: The Comfort of your own Home, via Zoom
When: 1930 on Thursday 20 November 2025 (1930 GMT for overseas viewers)
Cost: Free
Virtual Viola – 20 November 2025 – Virtual Viola Project Presentation Read More »
Following the successful even in Cambridge, we have put recordings of some of the talks online in our YouTube channel.
The Medal awarded to Dr Frederik Paulsen in 2023 was presented to him by SGA Chair Philippa Foster Back.
After stalwart service to the South Georgia Association since its founding over twenty years ago, the SGA Chair Philippa Foster Back presented Secretary Fran Prince with a painting by Bruce Pearson.
Summer Event and AGM, Cambridge, July 2025 Talks are Online Read More »
