wilderness LECTURES

Flight of the Swans

Sacha Dench - 31/10/2018 19:30

Recently, Sacha has become known for the award winning ‘Flight of the Swans’ expedition where she followed the migration of the endangered wild Bewick swans 7,000 km through 11 countries from Arctic Russia to the UK. To enable her to do this, she overcame a fear of flight to fly a paramotor (hanging from a piece of cloth by strings with a big fan on her back). En route her mission was to speak to people – from nomads to farmers and politicians - and find out why so many swans were being lost. The project generated huge amounts of media attention, debate, and a wide range of practical wins for conservation. She is the first woman in over 50 years to be awarded the Britannia Trophy for this feat of aviation.

Brit Rock 2018

Brit Rock Tour - 07/11/2018 19:30

Tickets are also available for cash at TCA and Undercover Rock.

The bar will be open from 1800hrs, before the show.

The Brit Rock Film Tour is back for 2018 with its strongest line up to date. The films this year are

Brazilian Line
A maverick bunch of Brits go big wall hunting in Brazil. Lead by pioneering legend Mike ‘Twid’ Turner accompanied by Steve Long who invite some youth on the trip in the form of the super strong James Taylor and Angus Kille (just climbed Indian Face!).

Just Anna
In an era where searching out and developing new routes seems out of vogue: all is not lost as we meet Anna Taylor. This remarkable Lakes-based 20 year old is bucking all the tends with stunning new sport routes and bold traditional lines including a nervy introduction to Deep Water Soloing by climbing partner Neil Gresham.

North Base
The ultra pragmatic Tim Howell is a specialist in climbing cliffs and jumping from the top of them, commonly known as ‘climb to base’. This short film introduces us to Tim’s way of life and his long-term goal of being the first to climb and jump all six of the classic alpine north faces.

Whiz Kid: Rainshadow
In 2016 at the age of just 17, William Bosi became the youngest Brit to climb the ultimate magic grade: 9a. Whiz Kid: follows William’s journey to climb Steve McClure’s Malham test piece, Rainshadow. Documented in an observational style the film gently reveals what it takes to climb at this level.

Free Flow
Bristol's Hazel Findlay enjoys an epic day of mountain running and solo climbing in the Welsh mountains of Snowdonia. Stunning shots combine with a considered soundtrack underpinned by a subtle environmental message.

Blood Moon
The film follows Robbie Phillips, Calum Cunningham and Alan Carne as they attempt to open a new climb, ground up, on a 700m Big Wall called Tsaranoro Atsimo in Madagascar. The walls of Tsaranoro are as wild and bold as the country, the rock beautifully carved as if by providential hand. Once the free climbing begins disaster strikes, Alan takes a bad fall shattering his lower right leg, an epic ordeal unfolds to get Alan from the remote big wall to safety.

Undiscovered
Dave MacLeod has spent the past 25 years putting up cutting edge routes all over the world but most frequently on his native Scottish rock. ‘Undiscovered’ explores the passion for pioneering first ascents and examines the effort that goes into developing new routes as Dave unearths more jewels on the crags that seemingly just keep on giving.

This lecture is NOT in our normal venue, it's at BGS. Check our venue pages.

Eye Below the Ice

Doug Allan - 14/11/2018 19:30

Pearl diver, SCUBA instructor, Antarctic marine biologist, photographer, writer, award winning documentary cameraman, Doug Allan has been filming underwater in the world’s wildest places for 45 years. His images have been published in numerous magazines and books, and he’s contributed memorable sequences to classic BBC series like The Blue Planet, Planet Earth, Frozen Planet, Ocean Giants, Forces of Nature and many others.

Can you really talk to Belugas? Or make sure you don't lose that important dive hole when you’re filming seals under the ice? What’s harder – handling a camera underwater at minus 1.8o C or in a 3knot current? How about both at the same time?

Doug's presentation Eye Below the Ice talks about his 40 years of experience of diving and filming in both the Arctic and Antarctic. He has witnessed first hand how climate change is affecting both poles. Is there still time to turn the tide?

Copies of his book will be on sale
Freeze Frame – a Wildlife Cameraman’s Adventures on Ice