As part of a year-long celebration of mapmaking Michael Palin, renowned British comedian, actor, writer and television presenter, will address the British Cartographic Society. The presentation, title ‘A Life in Maps’, will be followed by a drinks reception in the prestigious surroundings of the Ondaatje Theatre at the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)’s magnificent London headquarters, overlooking Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. Taking place on the evening of Friday 12th April 2013 ‘An evening with Michael Palin’ is open to members and non-members, at a small charge, and places can be booked online.

“In our 50th Anniversary year it is a real honour to welcome Michael Palin as a guest speaker,” commented Mr Peter Jones MBE, President of the British Cartographic Society. “I am sure Michael as immediate Past President of our hosts, the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), and an intrepid traveller, will be able to regale the audience with his exploits and experiences of maps around the world.”

‘An evening with Michael Palin’ is a headline event from the British Cartographic Society’s 50th Anniversary calendar of events. With more than thirty events planned throughout 2013 the society hope to promote the art and science of mapmaking to a new audience. Featured events from this programme include the society’s annual Symposium with an anniversary theme of ‘Today, Tomorrow and Beyond …’, ‘An afternoon with Jack Dangermond’ commonly regarded as the grandfather of Geographical Information Systems and numerous ‘Restless Earth Workshops’ aimed at year 10 pupils.

To find out more about the events follow the society on twitter @bcsweb, facebook https://www.facebook.com/bcsweb or visit the webpage www.cartography.org.uk