AM Chris Franks has called on the Welsh Government to support the centenary of Robert Falcon Scott’s expedition to the Antarctic.
The Cardiff-born AM tabled a question to First Minister Carwyn Jones asking what plans the Assembly had to mark the SS Terra Nova’s sailing from Cardiff on June 15, 1910.
He asked: “This is an opportunity to commemorate Cardiff’s rich history as an international port. Can you indicate how the Welsh Government can support this memorable event?”
The Plaid AM added: “The expedition as people know ended tragically but it did create one of the great legends of adventure in the last century and it all started from the docks in Cardiff. Plaid is keen to promote the history of Cardiff. We have a proud past and an exciting future.”
The First Minister said the Welsh Government would not want to cut across what is being organised already. “But we would be more than happy to assist in whatever way we can with the events that are already planned for the week beginning June 9 to June 15.”
The Scott Antarctic Memorial stands on a compass rose and is sited in Cardiff Bay between the Norwegian Church and the lock through which the Terra Nova emerged on its fateful journey a century ago. Scott was beaten to the Pole by the Norwegian explorer, Roald Amundsen.
