February
already, and how many dives have you done, not too many I’ll be
bound ??? Golly I remember the time when we’d have done at least 50 each
by now (oh yeah !!!) starting with the 06.00 dive at Stoney Cove on New
Years Day. It just wasn’t the same when they put the opening time back
to 09.00 - so I slacked off a bit !!! Still, no reason why you shouldn’t
get prepared for the season with a few dives at Gildy. Better than going
straight in at the deep end, off the RIB in April. Oh yes, and don’t
forget to get your dive kit serviced before you go !!!
Well, this is the first WNSAC news letter to come under the
formal scrutiny of your committee, so let’s be a bit formal and welcome
on board your new committee. In the Chair we have Penny Withers, the
Secretary is now Sarah Blanch with Membership Secretary Toni Reddy, the
Treasurer is as before, Karen Sly. Your Diving Officer is once again,
Simon Phelan. The Training Officer changes to Andrew (Lenny) Lensen with
Steve Cato taking the role of the Boat Officer. Dave Hubbard remains,
doing a sterling job, as your Compressor Officer with Ian Corstophine
taking on the role of Equipment Officer, and bringing up in the rear (so
to speak) is me, Paul Milner, as Press Officer. So a big thank you to
those stepping down (for their commitment during 2002), to those moving
to new committee positions, and to those coming on board for the first
time. It’s especially good to see more of a balance between the sexes
and ages. I believe we now have ages ranging from eighteen to sixty-
something (guess who that is !) on the committee, so you should get a
balanced view. However as usual if you have a different view and want to
make a point don’t hesitate to speak, at the end of the day – it’s
your club
Dates for your diary, and what have we on offer ??? Right now and
even as I write, there is a bowling evening happening at King’s Lynn
organised by Toni Reddy. This is great as it gets friends and family (of
you diving lot) involved, and maybe we’ll even get a few converts. Much later on..… I have just
discovered that it was a great night and a total of £110.30 was raised
for the boat fund – fantastic. A few years ago we had a (motor) treasure
hunt for all, which was good fun too. Maybe we have someone out there
could organise something like that, or anything else with a general ‘all
welcome’ theme.
The ‘Annual Dinner’ is booked for Saturday 8th
March at The Pearl River, John Kennedy Road, King’s Lynn. The cost
is £20 per head, and we have a Chinese, a vegetarian and an English menu
on offer. The Chinese and veggie are four courses and tailored for two
persons (more options when you order for three or four), while the
English is three course and is individual – all plus tea or coffee. See
me for details, or call 07866-449034.
I have been in touch with Ned Middleton with regard to Ned giving
a talk on Diving in Malta. This is the talk that we were going to have
last year but we had The Florida Everglades instead. The provisional
date is Friday 28th March at the OASC, King’s Lynn,
and the cost will be £7 including the usual excellent buffet. The slight
increase in cost is to cover for setting up and cleaning etc. We will
try to ensure that the heating does not go off mid-talk this time !!!
See me, Paul Milner at the pool or call on 07866-449034 if interested.
On the boat front Howard Newton is organising a boat handling
course for club members on Saturday & Sunday the 12th and
13th April, Howard is one of our most experienced divers
and ‘boatmen’ so this should be a must for those with boating
aspirations. Contact Howard soonest, either at the pool, or on
01945-587682.
Dave Hubbard is organising a ‘Dive In’ at Gildenburgh on
Saturday 26th April. This is a great idea to celebrate
the BSAC’s 50th anniversary as well as being a fund raising
event for both the club and the RNLI. Basically it will comprise a
simple 50m. navigational exercise, using your compass and SMB. Good for
new Ocean Divers and good practise for those with more experience.
(sheet 2)
It starts at 15.30 giving you a choice of a daylight or a night dive
– all good stuff. The bar will be open for drinks as well as food. We
hope that all who are able will take part, or at the very least,
nominate and sponsor a diver. Sponsorship is vital as we need money for
a new engine for RIB Sea Dove and want to match that with an equal
amount for the ever deserving RNLI (would you go out in a force 12 to do
a dangerous and tricky job, and for nothing – in terms of £££). Dave has
also got a competition whereby you can win £25 for the largest
collection, last entry 22nd April. For more details contact
Dave at the pool or on 01945-860535.
Steve Cato is doing the Kimmeridge Bay trip again this year. The
dates are 3rd to 5th May. Kimmeridge’ is an
excellent site in which to get your sea legs, or rather your ‘diving
legs’. Although mainly for new divers and those under training we also
need instructors and experienced divers to act as buddy, instructor and
leader. Contact Steve for details at the pool or on 01366-347897.
There is a local diving week from Saturday 23rd to
the 29th August - Bank Holiday weekend - off Trimingham. Camping and
air available nearby. See Simon Phelan or call him on 01553-842112.
The same week-end we have the WNSAC Barbecue and
Raffle, that is Saturday 23rd August. This will be
at my place in Sheringham (not that far from Trimingham), so you can
easily combine the two. Camping as above or B&B plentiful (noting that
it is Bank Holiday week-end).
Geoff Webb is organising a Southern Red Sea livaboard, sounds
good, even great. Dates 19th to the 26th
September. according to Geoff the boat is big and the diving in virgin
territory - so to speak, i.e. no crowds of ‘other’ divers, that’s got to
make it great. Catch Geoff or call him on 01406-350098
And finally (for the moment) Scapa Flow from 24th
to 31st October. Dave Hubbard is organising this regular
and popular dive trip. As they say ‘probably the finest site for wrecks
in the world’ – and that’s even before the members of WNSAC get there
!!! If you haven’t been, or even if you have, see Dave or call him on 01945-860535 for some
excellent diving.
What else, ah yes, the WNSAC Logo…. To date I have only one
entry.
Does this mean that we are happy with the old logo, or what ??? If
you want a new, or modified logo, then speak up – you don’t have to be a
great artist, at this stage we just a sketch, an idea. We can then get
some sweatshirts sorted and any other items. They’re good to wear in
strange places (???), that is they make for a good talking point, and also they make a little money for the
(remember – our) diving club.
The club is in need of boosting funds, so fund raising is in your
committee’s thoughts. With that in mind I thought that we might have a
car-boot sale. There is a pretty good one in Sheringham over the Easter
week-end or thereabouts. So, have a spring clearout and don’t throw away
all those old ‘valuables’ you’ve been hoarding all these years. Let me
know what you’ve got then bring them either to the club one evening or
to the actual sale – to sell. Either way give me a call, Paul on
07866-449034.
One last thing – currently we have one event to celebrate two
things of major importance. The BSAC’s 50th anniversary and
our 30th (which is actually next year). That event is Dave’s
"Dive In - divathon" at Gildenburgh on 26th April. If you
have any ideas, no matter how bizzare or odd or ordinary please let us
know.
Oh yes and don’t forget the BSAC special Golden Jubilee Dinner Dance
at The Wardolf Hotel, London on 29th November. Some of us
went to the 40th anniversary at The Guildhall, London (10
years ago surprisingly) and it was first rate.
Well that’s it folks. If you have anything you want to say, sell,
buy or maybe you just want to organise something, let me know.
Paul Milner
Mobile: 07866-449034, fax:01263-820291 or e-mail <pem@flexcrete.co.uk>
