This special programme is made for just a few dozen listeners - the team of scientists and support staff isolated at British research stations in the Antarctic.

For the staff living at three British Antarctic Survey research stations (Rothera, Bird Island and South Georgia), and at other national bases across the frozen continent, midwinter is a special time. With no sunlight, Antarctica is at its coldest and those stationed on the frozen continent face months of total isolation.

Midwinter celebrations at the British research stations include a feast, exchange of presents, watching the 1982 horror film The Thing (where an alien monster terrorises an Antarctic base) and listening - on short wave - to the BBC’s Midwinter Broadcast.

Presented by Cerys Matthews, the programme features messages from family and friends at home as well as music requests from Antarctica.

Producer: Richard Hollingham
A Boffin Media production for BBC World Service

(Photo: Rothera research station. Credit: British Antarctic Survey) Show less