AN upcoming talk titled Shackleton and West Somerset is set to uncover the great Irish explorer’s ties to the South West.

The talk is inspired by a recent discovery made by the speaker, author Jeff Cox, who came across a tantalising local newspaper report from 1923; it described how a wealthy businessman had shown an audience in Watchet a rare film capturing Shackleton’s exploration vessel, the Endurance, being crushed in the Antarctic ice in 1915.

Mr Cox began to wonder, who this man was, and how he had obtained this rare film. The author’s research led him to discover two men from West Somerset who played crucial roles in Shackleton’s explorations of the frozen wastelands of Antarctica.

Born in 1874, Sir Ernest Shakleton’s first Antarctic experience was as an officer at the age of 27, as part of Sir Robert Falcon Scott’s crew in 1901-04 aboard the Discovery. He then led expeditions in 1907-09 and 1014-16. The latter was on board the Endurance and involved the incredible rescue of crew members for which Shackleton became world-famous.

He left Plymouth for the Antarctic again in 1921 aboard the Quest but died at the age of 47 off the coast of South Georgia in January 1922. There were two West Somerset men aboard the Quest who had played important roles in Sir Shackleton’s career.

Hosted by the Wiveliscombe Civic and Historical Society, Shackleton and West Somerset will take place on Thursday, April 10 at St Andrew’s Church, Wiveliscombe.

Doors will open from 7pm, to start at 7.30pm, with light refreshments available. Tickets cost £5, or free for members, and can be bought with cash on the door.

For more information, contact Pauline Homeshaw at [email protected] or by calling 01984 624564