A STUDENT from Frome has been awarded a place by the British Exploring Society, to carry out scientific fieldwork in the Amazon for five weeks.
Ben Brookes, who is 15 years old, will travel to the northern tip of Peru late next year, once he has finished his GCSEs.
“I would principally like to go on this expedition as for me it offers the opportunity to go somewhere I never really imagined I would get the chance to go,” he said.
“I can finally put my photography skills to good scientific use, whilst also expanding these skills in a foreign place and exciting environment.
“The expedition will also expand my CV and potentially help me on my way to a career in science photography.”
“I am going with the British Exploring Society, which is an established youth development charity that promotes adventure activity.
“Following their motto ‘adventure with purpose’, they go to remote wilderness settings where explorers, like me, carry out important scientific fieldwork contributing to wide reaching projects.”
One of the conditions of being accepted on the prestigious expedition is that Ben raises the funds necessary to be self-sufficient for the time he will spend in the jungle.
“The official price of the expedition is £3,500 however, with the kit, flights and vaccinations added together, it is more like £5,000.
“Since being accepted, I have been on the look out for potential sponsors and I have been writing to walking and hiking companies. I have also set up a gofundme account in the hope that people will donate to my expedition.”
“I’m really looking forward to the trip as I have always wanted to go the Amazon.
“I’m not worried particularly about spending time away from home, I’m just really excited and looking forward to the life changing experience!”
https://funds.gofundme.com/dashboard
Above: Ben on a camping holiday in Scotland last year.
![Town-wide programme brings month of social activities in May
A month-long programme of activities and events is set to take place across the town in May as part of an initiative encouraging residents to connect with themselves, each other and local places.
The scheme, Frome Connects, will run throughout the month and includes a mix of social activities, creative events and informal meet-ups in community spaces.
Highlights include the return of Dress Up Fridays, which began during lockdown and invites people to wear formal clothing or fancy dress and turn the town into their catwalk each Friday.
Set-piece moments include a Kate Bush-themed flashmob (Running Up That [Catherine] Hill) on 30th May, followed by a bell peal at St John’s Church where the bells will play Running Up That Hill.
There will also be a whole-town drone photo on Friday 30th May, with everyone encouraged to ‘look up’ at around 12.30pm.
Read more on our website, the link is in our bio.
Pictured: l-r Jenny Hartnoll and Ginny Adams](https://scontent-lhr6-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/684201964_18069463433653265_2722712448142239347_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=lpPD1lkIpzUQ7kNvwGc5hdb&_nc_oc=Adpzr2hnI58mBzDyMxcnkdK_pr7-84FAARfoTk3dgtKJKwIbvYouQytEkAdXpaUAvxU&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-lhr6-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=QKz5uslOl1wFJGffej9rcQ&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQEhS3JmIIRGVtdvc7NeDg-szHPgOZvSeqR7PYflJsqm1cp0XCNujCDPTyODWI0mmJV4mujraOr9&oh=00_Af2_0pgXuakjMTfphq9JSx7v6C2RU__qPFT1d7jQmFh5EA&oe=69F7C6AA "Town-wide programme brings month of social activities in May
A month-long programme of activities and events is set to take place across the town in May as part of an initiative encouraging residents to connect with themselves, each other and local places.
The scheme, Frome Connects, will run throughout the month and includes a mix of social activities, creative events and informal meet-ups in community spaces.
Highlights include the return of Dress Up Fridays, which began during lockdown and invites people to wear formal clothing or fancy dress and turn the town into their catwalk each Friday.
Set-piece moments include a Kate Bush-themed flashmob (Running Up That [Catherine] Hill) on 30th May, followed by a bell peal at St John’s Church where the bells will play Running Up That Hill.
There will also be a whole-town drone photo on Friday 30th May, with everyone encouraged to ‘look up’ at around 12.30pm.
Read more on our website, the link is in our bio.
Pictured: l-r Jenny Hartnoll and Ginny Adams")
