ORAL HISTORY PROJECT
The UKAHT, in collaboration with the British
Antarctic Survey (BAS), BAS Club and the Scott Polar Research
Institute (SPRI), with the financial assistance of the Government of
the British Antarctic Territory, is underpinning an ambitious oral history project
which aims to capture the recollections of those extraordinary,
dedicated and often heroic individuals who have worked in the polar
regions.
Although the official History of BAS, its
predecessors (Operation Tabarin, the Falkland Island Dependencies
Survey) and SPRI is well documented, it rarely provides an insight
into relationships, culture, decisions and policy that first hand
accounts of activities and events do. By recording the
reminiscences of these polar people, a fascinating history will be
preserved and made accessible for generations to come.
A team of volunteers assemble
background material at BAS archives about each interviewee in order
that the experienced interviewers may prepare adequately.
Interviews are conducted either at home or at Antarctic reunions
using a voice recorder and/or film. Completed interviews are
currently stored at BAS archives.
Contrary to popular belief, interviewees don’t need to be as old as
Port Lockroy either! Individuals who have been involved relatively
recently are also invited to participate. Around fifty people have
already been interviewed, with service dates ranging from the early
1940’s to the present day.
A complementary oral history project launched in April 2010
is the British Library's Life Stories of Contemporary British
Scientists which will include 50 in-depth interviews with scientists
under the theme 'The changing planet'. In addition the South Georgia
Museum (coordinated by Elsa Davidson) and the South Georgia Heritage
Trust have started a project to interview ex-whalers.
Many thanks to those interviewed and to the interviewer Chris
Eldon-Lee, coordinators Joanna Rae (BAS) Allan Wearden (BAS Club),
Naomi Boneham (SPRI), Amanda Lynnes (UKAHT), and volunteers,
Felicity Aston, Dave Burkitt, Alan Carroll, Susannah Ferrar, Mike
Leach, Jack Tolson, Andy Smith. Welcome to new volunteers Ken Hill
and Chris Lush. Another researcher in the Cambridge area would not
go amiss!. If you are interested contact Allan on 01254 247541
allan.wearden@btinternet.com or Amanda
amandalynnes@hotmail.com 01629 636643
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Contact us
 Mrs Rachel Morgan
Kingcoed Farm
Usk, Monmouthshire
NP15 1DS
United Kingdom
info@ukaht.org
+44 (0) 1291 690305
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UKAHT
Kingcoed Farm Usk
NP15 1DS |
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