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BBC News
2 days ago
- Science
- BBC News
The King shares special message on BBC World Service to mark the 70th anniversary of the Antarctic Midwinter Broadcast
The King has recorded a special message for the BBC World Service's annual Antarctic Midwinter Broadcast, dedicated to staff stationed at British Antarctic Survey (BAS) research facilities, calling their work 'more vital than ever' and sending 'countless special thoughts' ahead of the celebrations. Midwinter in Antarctica is marked by complete darkness, extreme cold, and months of isolation. Each year, on 21 June, personnel at BAS stations – Rothera, Bird Island, and South Georgia – join colleagues at other international bases across the continent in celebrating this unique occasion. The festivities traditionally include a special broadcast from the BBC World Service. This year's broadcast is particularly significant, marking the 70th anniversary of the Antarctic Midwinter Broadcast. His Majesty welcomed the momentous milestone with a personal message to a few dozen listeners – the team of scientists and support staff isolated in the Antarctic. As part of the message, The King says: 'With the sun shying away from your horizon today, I particularly wanted to send my warmest good wishes to all of those serving at British Antarctic research stations this Midwinter's Day and, above all, to express the greatest admiration for the critically important work you do. 'The scientific research that the British Antarctic Survey undertakes, alongside teams from across the world, is today more vital than ever, telling us stories of the past, the present and possible futures… 'Each observation, measurement and calculation you undertake adds to the world's understanding of the Earth's fragile systems and the role humanity plays, as we struggle to live in harmony with nature. 'I very much appreciate the resilience and commitment to duty you all demonstrate so effectively, and which embody the pioneering spirit that has characterised British polar exploration for generations. On the 70th anniversary of this midwinter broadcast, I send countless special thoughts for your celebrations today.' Jon Zilkha, Controller, BBC World Service English, says: 'The annual Antarctic Midwinter Broadcast is always a poignant moment on the BBC World Service as family and friends record moving messages for loved ones stationed so far away. This year we're proud to celebrate the 70th anniversary with an extra special tribute from The King. The recording highlights the BBC World Service's unique role in bringing people together by broadcasting around the world.' Alongside The King's message, the BBC World Service programme consists of music requests and messages from home to those at the British Antarctic Survey research stations. Outside of the BBC World Service broadcast, staff traditionally feast, exchange presents, and watch the classic 1982 science fiction film The Thing, set in the Antarctic. Listeners around the world can hear the special 70th anniversary broadcast featuring the King's message on the BBC World Service at (6.30pm GMT) 7.30pm BST on Saturday 21 June Previous broadcasts can be found here: BBC World Service - Antarctic Midwinter Broadcast Antarctic Midwinter Broadcast is a Boffin Media production for the BBC World Service. The Executive Producer is Richard Hollingham. RM3 Follow for more
BBC News
2 days ago
- Science
- BBC News
Midwinter's Day: King sends message to Antarctic scientists
King Charles has recorded a warm personal message to researchers in Antarctica celebrating a frozen Midwinter's Day, with the King praising their work in understanding climate marks the 70th anniversary of the BBC's Antarctic Midwinter Broadcast, which sends a morale-raising message to remote research stations in the depths of their winter."Each observation, measurement and calculation you undertake adds to the world's understanding of the Earth's fragile systems," says the King's Rootes, who leads the UK's Rothera research base, says it's an honour to have recognition for their work "at the cutting edge of science in a really difficult part of the world to operate". While much of the UK swelters in the summer heat, Antarctica is celebrating an icy Midwinter's Day without any sun and with driving snow."With the sun shying away from your horizon today, I particularly wanted to send my warmest good wishes," says the King, who praises the researchers' "critically important work".The King, a longstanding environmental campaigner, speaks of his appreciation for the scientists' "resilience and commitment" as they track changes in the ice in Antarctica, examining the "role humanity plays, as we struggle to live in harmony with nature".The broadcast from the BBC World Service is part of the traditional Midwinter celebrations for scientists at these isolated contributions have included a message from Sir David Attenborough, a quirky song from Bill Bailey - "There's rock and roll at the South Pole" - and a comedy sketch from the cast of W1A, which claims "they're actually moving a glacier from one place to another".King Charles becomes the first monarch to be part of this annual broadcast - with a message praising the British Antarctic Survey, which he says is "more vital than ever, telling us stories of the past, the present and possible futures".The British Antarctic Survey has described Antarctica as a "barometer of environmental change", as its researchers extract and analyse the ice core to see changes in climate over hundreds of thousands of for six months, scientists in Antarctica began to develop their own accentAlex Rootes is one of 41 researchers at Rothera who will be listening to the broadcast in Antarctica, a location so remote that it's a thousand miles to the nearest hospital. Also in this very bespoke audience have been researchers at bases in Bird Island and South Rootes told the BBC it was currently warmer than usual in Antarctica, at -2c, but it can be tough to cope without any daylight, which makes it even more important to have a community celebration for Midwinter."At this time of year when the darkness has really closed in, it's very easy psychologically for people to withdraw into themselves. It's a really vital part of our mental health provision that people have something like this, which people really look forward to," he says. The traditions for Midwinter Day are something similar to having Christmas in June, including giving presents, a big dinner and watching the same film each year. The seasonal favourite is The Thing, a 1980s sci-fi horror film about a group of scientists in Antarctica under threat from an unknown presence. Mr Rootes says it's now part of the ritual of the is the southern winter solstice, the shortest day in their location, more than 1,000 miles south of the southern tip of South America. This year at the Rothera base there are plans for a 10km (6.2 miles) fun run, if the conditions allow. It's one way of chilling annual BBC broadcast becomes a connection with home, with messages sent by the researchers' families and selections of their favourite Mr Rootes says the King's message will be an important endorsement of their work, as they check on marine life and measure changes in the ice, linked to climate change."It's lovely to feel like we have the King talking to us and recognising us in this remote community," he said. Sign up here to get the latest royal stories and analysis every week with our Royal Watch newsletter. Those outside the UK can sign up here.
