February 2013 news update

21st February 2013

The HMS Beagle Trust is gathering momentum for the next phase of the project. Our principal focus now is to raise funds to strengthen our team, and we have engaged leading fundraising consultancy Fundraising Experts to help secure funding.

The HMS Beagle Project has now appointed a coordinator, Melanie Hanvey. She will provide administrative support to the directors and work with the UK science team based at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton. Melanie has a background in oceanography and science communication, and was the onboard research coordinator for a global voyage of M/V Oceanic II.

We also welcome two new patrons: Lord West of Spithead, former First Sea Lord and Head of the Royal Navy, and Professor Simon Keynes, Elrington and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon History at Cambridge University. Professor Keynes is Charles Darwin’s great-great-grandson, and the addition of Lord West to our team strengthens the political and diplomatic support for the project, and follows the recognition of the trust’s work by Prime Minister David Cameron and President Sebástian Piñera of Chile at the end of last year.

Finally, the HMS Beagle Project’s interest in the Paglesham site, Essex, as HMS Beagle’s final resting place has been rekindled following a meeting with the Malvern Archaeological Diving Unit. They support the theory that any remains of HMS Beagle are here, as they believe that she would not have been removed for breaking up elsewhere due to the risk and cost associated with moving such a small vessel.

Fundacion Beagle celebrates one year

31st January 2013

Fundacion Beagle, our sister charity in Chile, has celebrated its first birthday. Fundacion Beagle was founded in January 2012, and has been working hard to build teams of scientists and educators in Chile to develop the core themes of science, and education and discovery. To find out more about Fundacion Beagle visit their website.

HMS Beagle replica could be Pembroke Dock turning point

27th January 2013

Milford and West Wales Mercury

Building a replica of HMS Beagle in Pembroke Dock could be a “turning point” for the town, a councillor has said. Councillor Pam George told members at a Pembroke Dock Town Council meeting about the possibility of the town being chosen as the location for building a replica of the ship, after meeting with a trustee of the HMS Beagle Project... Read more

HMS Beagle Trust recognised in UK-Chile joint statement on science, innovation and education

16th November 2012

Prime Minister David Cameron and Chilean President Sebástian Piñera have announced in a statement their commitment to furthering cooperation in science, education and innovation. The ‘Beagle Foundation’ (the HMS Beagle Trust and its sister charity Fundacion Beagle) is identified in the UK-Chile joint statement as an initiative that enables greater cooperation on science and strengthens the links between Chile and the UK.

Read the full statement here.

Replica Beagle plans expedition to further Darwin's legacy

1st October 2012

As part of a special report on investing in Chile, the Finanical Times reports on how the HMS Beagle Project aims to inspire children and conduct scientific research by building a replica of the Beagle and using it to retrace Charles Darwin's voyage.

See the article here...