It was somewhat ironic that Kent Scouts chose to run its Evening In Antarctica on what turned out to be the hottest day of the year so far!

Back Row (Left to Right): Darcey Holmes, Colin Walker, Genevieve Scullion, The Honourable Alexandra Shackleton, Lucy Morgan, George Stonor, Joe Doherty.
Front Row (Left to Right): Cathy Mummery, Alan Noake, Matt Wood and Shackleton The Penguin!

On Saturday 29^th June guests gathered from around the County, and beyond, in the barn at Lower Grange Farm in Kent for an evening of presentations to learn all about the Kent Scouts ReQuest2021 Antarctica Project.

The guest speakers were Colin Walker (Scout Historian and Archivist), Joe Doherty (The first scout to ski to the South Pole and kite ski back) and the Honourable Alexandra Shackleton (Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Granddaughter) who is also one of the project’s three supporting patrons.

The ReQuest2021 Team (From Left to Right): Matt Wood, George Stonor, Darcey Holmes, Genevieve Scullion, Alan Noake (with Shackleton The Penguin!), Cathy Mummery and Lucy Morgan.
(Plus, not forgetting, Laura Bernard – who was unable to be present at the event.)

The project’s other two supporting patrons sent the team video messages – James Ketchell, currently flying a gyrocopter all around the world and Felicity Aston MBE, the first woman to ski to the South Pole.

In the Winter of 2021/22, the team of Scouts will be sailing on the Bark Europa Tall Ship from South America to Port Lockroy in Antarctica.  Exactly 100 years after  two Scouts sailed on Shackleton’s final Quest Expedition the project‘s objectives will be: –

• To participate as members of the crew on the Barque Europa on a voyage to Antarctica.
• For each of the participants to carry out an Antarctic research project and present the results upon return.
• To visit Port Lockroy base that was established by Scout James Marr and fly a Scout flag on Antarctica.
• To unveil an expedition plaque dedicated to Marr & Mooney at Gilwell Park and Port Lockroy in Antarctica.
• To involve the younger sections in join-in educational fun activities in the form of Antarctica In An Ice Box.

All four youth participants gave an overview of their Antarctic Research projects. Genevieve’s is a PHYSIOLOGICAL EXPERIMENT, Lucy’s is on CLIMATE CHANGE, Darcey’s is using PHOTOGRAPHY & ART and George’s is doing 3D ICEBERG SIMULATION. #MakeItHappen.

The top four Raffle prizes donated for the night were as follows:-

  1.     A Thames Cruise on The Lady Daphne Thames Barge (including Tower Bridge opening) for four people worth over £100. Aug/Sep options for 2019. [DONATED BY: SAM HOWE AND ANDY TAYLOR, LADY DAPHNE]

2.     Into The Frozen South Book 1923 (with facsimile of original cover). Worth around £100. [DONATED BY: PAUL DAVIS, KINGSBRIDGE BOOKS]

3.     The Shackleton Voyages Book [DONATED BY: PAUL DAVIS, KINGSBRIDGE BOOKS]

4.     SendMeCakes Ultimate Bake Box Gift Voucher. Worth £22. [DONATED BY: LOU MILLIGAN, SEND ME CAKES]

The team have fundraised £26,545 so far with a project target of £85,000. Gentoo penguin level sponsors (each donating over £250) to date include the Gallagher Group Ltd, the Deep-Sea Scouts and The Goodwin Sands Potholing Club.  

Kent Scouts is one of the largest Scouting counties in the UK. Giving adventure to 17,112 young people and 5,439 adults across Kent. We are an umbrella organisation to the Scout Association of the UK operating in the Local authorities of Kent County Council and Medway Council. The aim of the Association is to promote the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potential, as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities.

For various ways you can follow and support the project please visit: http://www.fundraisingladder.co.uk/ReQuest2021