Running a Post Office in Antarctica – Clare Ballantyne

This lecture will be held in Louth Methodist Church, Nichol Hill.

Clare grew up near Louth, developing a love of nature and wildlife. She volunteered at Louth Museum while studying her A-levels, researching the geology display with the support of David Robinson OBE. Clare subsequently read Earth Sciences at Oxford University. Valuing opportunities to collaborate with others and learn new skills, Clare has worked in heritage, retail, hospitality, the Army Reserves, and Lincoln Coronavirus Test Centre. She is happiest when outdoors, walking or working to protect the environment.

Clare’s talk will focus on her job in Antarctica as the Postmaster of the world’s most southerly public post office. Clare has spent six incredible months at Port Lockroy, a historic scientific base surrounded by glaciers, mountains, seals, whales, and over a thousand penguins. She found living in a small team on an island the size of a football pitch, without internet or running water, to be an amazing experience. By monitoring the wildlife and historic buildings, and welcoming visitors to the museum, post office, and shop, Clare supported the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust to conserve British Antarctic history and the environment. She will share unique stories and photos that capture what life is like at the bottom of the planet.