Dr Phil Lambdon leads a new Horticultural-themed tour to St Helena

A new 21-day themed tour to uncover some of the world’s most endangered species of flora and fauna on the remote South Atlantic island of St Helena departs 4th – 24th October 2010. Travelling on the RMS St Helena (www.rms-st-helena.com 0207 5756 480), one of the last working Royal Mail Ships, participants will relish in an opportunity to visit St Helena where some of the world’s rarest plant and flower species, such as the He and She Cabbage trees and the St Helena Ebony grow. Prices start from £2,768 per person which includes return sea passage, all meals onboard, eight nights’ accommodation on St Helena including breakfast and two nights’ accommodation in Cape Town. The RMS is a unique blend of cargo and passenger vessel where travellers will be sharing their voyage with all the essentials needed by the Islanders which have included cars, cats and even crocodiles! After an overnight stop in Cape Town, guests will board the RMS St Helena on 5th October and embark on a six-day voyage to one of the world’s most remote inhabited islands – St Helena. Whilst onboard, passengers will be entertained by the ship’s crew and meet tour leader - Dr Phil Lambdon. Dr Lambdon, an expert of St Helena’s fascinating flora and fauna, will share his tales of the botanic survey he undertook on the Island, uncovering endemic plants including an endemic sedge thought to have been extinct for 200 years and an endemic grass new to science. Dr Lambdon first visited St Helena two years ago and over six months he walked and mapped each of the 145 km grid cells which cover the island, compiling a list of 470 species which occur in the wild. Whilst on St Helena, Dr Lambdon will lead the group on a visit the Island’s capital – Jamestown, Diana’s Peak National Park where several endemic species grow and The Millennium Forest. As well as four day trips, there will be plenty of time to relax and explore the varied landscapes of the 47 sq mile Island, uncover the charms of Islanders and attractions such as Jacobs Ladder. Whilst the flora and fauna on the Island is one of the main draws, other aspects such as the rich Napoleonic heritage and the beautiful walking routes may also interest visitors. Guests re-board the ship and return to Cape Town, arriving on the 23rd October to spend a final night in Cape Town before the tour ends. When St Helena was discovered in 1502, much of the Island was covered in dense vegetation and due to the remoteness of the landmass (the Island is only accessible by ship) there are a number of endemic plants including 14 endemic species of fern, six endemic genera of flowering plants and four additional extract genera of flower. Andrew Weir Shipping can tailor-make itineraries and tours to St Helena for a range of different themes. For images and further information please contact Tryphena Greenwood at Keene on 020 7839 2140 or email Tryphena@keenepa.co.uk. Note to Editors £2,768 is based on two adults sharing a T2H cabin on A or B deck. Flights are not included. Dr Phil Lambdon continues to work in the South Atlantic, dividing time between St Helena and Ascension Island, and is currently writing a field guide to the plants of St Helena. 1. St Helena is an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom, with its own legislature and a high degree of internal self-government. 2. It is an island of 47 square miles (122 sq.km) situated 1,200 miles off the west coast of Africa. 3. Currently the only access to the Island is by sea, via the ship RMS St Helena, plus a number of cruise ships and yachts. 4. The number of tourists currently is less than 1,500 a year but the opening of an airport could quadruple that number in the next ten years without undermining the essential way of life and natural attractions of St Helena. 5. A project to build a new Airport has been actively considered for the last seven years. In October 2008, a preferred bidder was selected as a potential contractor to construct the airport, which was scheduled for completion and opening in 2012. In 2008 HMG requested a pause in the negotiations with the contractor and in March 2009 announced a further Consultation on access to the Island. 70% of respondents favoured the immediate construction of an airport. In December 2009 HMG revealed that it will delay any decision for ‘around six months’ while a potential public-private partnership for funding the airport is explored.

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