Putney BSAC Dive Club

News @ 10: 22 Apr 08

Trips:
--------
The following trips are planned for this year:
THIS WEEKEND 26-27 Apr: RIB trip to Mixon Hole on the south coast for a little early season sharpener - £30 to Nic Levesque
LAST CALL 3-5 May: Swanage for all levels but particularly training - £30 to James Hatch

15 May TBC: TRY DIVE - Monica Frantisek

17-18 May: Plymouth for OD and above - £30 to Steve Gibbons
7-14 Jun: Sark - Full (John Heagney)
28-29 Jun: Portland wrecks at 30-35m for SD+ - £40 to Flo Lorillard
23-25 Aug: Salcombe for SD and above - £50 to Steve Gibbons
LAST CALL 6-13 Sep: Galway (3 places left) - John Heagney in the next couple of days

4-6 Oct: Farnes for scenic diving and the seals - contact Nick Levesque
12 Oct: Eastbourne wreck diving for SD and above - £30 to Vaughan Simpson
25-26 Oct: Eastbourne wreck diving for SD and above - £30 to Vaughan Simpson
Sep 2009: Porquerolles, France for some deep stuff (DL) - we couldn't get enough together quickly this year - 9 already interested for next year though - contact John Heagney or Flo Lorillard

Please, please, please get deposits to trip organisers so we can confirm boats bookings.

Social:
----------
THIS THURSDAY 24 Apr: Chakkalakah - Monica Frantisek

Our new pub is the Bricklayer's Arms in Waterman Street (http://www.bricklay ers-arms. co.uk/?page_ id=14)

Training:
------------ -
Let Iestyn know what else you want to achieve in the year so he can consider the relevant training.

Idiotic standards:
------------ --------- -----
See the following thread for hope about the silliness on nitrox tank
valves http://www.bsacforu m.co.uk/forums/ showthread. php?t=10262

Break from News at 10 for a short while

Dear PBSAC members,

As you all know, the arrival of the youngest member of the club in Eddie means our chairman won't be giving News at 10 for a while. Also, your webmaster is soon to depart on holiday so you won't get an update until late April. I will leave you in the meantime with an extract from the March BSAC Talk eletter. Though, as always, do come down the pub for the most recent info.

Happy & safe diving every one!

News @ 10 for 11Mar08

Renewals: Most renewals are now in and sent off but if you have not
sent your form and payment in yet please get them to Vaughan as soon
as you can. Thanks.

Social:
-------
The new pub is a success! The beer's good, the staff are delightful
and it is quiet enough to talk so we are staying. Our new home is the
Bricklayer's Arms in Waterman Street
(http://www.bricklay ers-arms. co.uk/?page_ id=14).
28 Feb: Thai dinner somewhere in Putney - contact Monica

Trips
-----
The following trips are now planned for next year:
15-16 Mar: a select group (John, Barry, Brian, Sue, Rich BP, Iestyn,
Monica) hoping to get out of Weymouth for some cold dark practice.
NEW TRIP 26-27 Apr: RIB trip to Mixon Hole on the south coast for a
little early season sharpener - £30 to Nic Levesque
3-5 May: Swanage for all levels but particularly training - £30 to
James Hatch
17-18 May: Plymouth for OD and above, wait list - £30 to Steve Gibbons
7-14 Jun: Sark - full, contact John Heagney
28-29 Jun: Portland wrecks at 30-35m for SD+ - £40 to Flo Lorillard
23-25 Aug: Salcombe for SD and above, wait list - £50 to Steve Gibbons
4-6 Oct: Farnes for scenic diving and the seals - contact Nick Levesque
12 Oct: Eastbourne wreck diving for SD and above - £30 to Vaughan Simpson
25-26 Oct: Eastbourne wreck diving for SD and above - £30 to Vaughan
Simpson
NEW TRIP Sep 2009: Porquerolles, France for some deep stuff (DL) - we
couldn't get enough together quickly this year - 9 already interested
for next year though - contact John Heagney or Flo Lorillard

Other trips will be added to this programme - particularly for
training and dive fitness in the early part of the year.

Please, please, please get deposits to trip organisers so we can
confirm boats bookings.

Training:
---------
Theory training done for the winter - thanks to Iestyn for organising
that. Theory assessments done on Tuesday 19 Feb and successful
candidates can get their qualification books signed.

If you have other training and development wants and needs let Iestyn
know what else you want to achieve in the year.

DO's homily:
------------
You have checked you kit as I suggested, yes?
The next dive for most people will be the first of the season and the
first for a while. Do go to the pool at least once beforehand to check
you kit works and you can remember how to use it.
Take it very steady for the first weekend - do not have a heavy night
the night before.
You first dive of the season should be well within your limits -like
15-20 metres and no more. After that increase depth by about 5 metres
per dive.

Idiotic standards
------------ -----
See the following thread for hope about the silliness on nitrox tank
valves http://www.bsacforu m.co.uk/forums/ showthread. php?t=10262

News @ 10: 24 Feb 08 #Sharkwater on Wednesday#

Renewals: You should have received your annual membership renewal letter. Please get renewals in as soon as possible to allow Vaughan to do his stuff by the end of the month.

Social:
----------
Trial of new pub until at least 4 March - the Bricklayer's Arms in Waterman Street (http://www.bricklay ers-arms. co.uk/?page_ id=14). We will decide at the next committee meeting whether to make the change permanent - if you are not on the committee and have an opinion on this vital issue then let me know.

CHANGE OF PLAN Wed 27 Feb: Dinner and then film, Sharkwater, in the west end - contact Flo Lorillard by noon on Monday

LIDS London International Dive Show (see http://www.diveshow s.co.uk/index. shtml) is on 8 & 9 Mar at ExCel Exhibition Centre in Docklands (nearest DLR stop is Custon House). Most people seem to be going on Sunday so they can watch the rugby on Saturday. Note that on Saturday the Jubilee Line will be closed between North Greenwich and Stratford and also the DLR will be closed between Stratford and West India Quay all weekend.

Trips:
--------
The following trips are now planned for next year:
POSSIBLE TRIP 15-16 Mar: Weymouth hard boat trip - contact John Heagney

26-27 Apr: RIB trip to Mixon Hole on the south coast for a little early season sharpener - £30 to Nic Levesque
3-5 May: Swanage for all levels but particularly training - £30 to James Hatch
17-18 May: Plymouth for OD and above - £30 to Steve Gibbons
7-14 Jun: Sark - possible space, contact John Heagney
28-29 Jun: Portland wrecks at 30-35m for SD+ - £40 to Flo Lorillard
23-25 Aug: Salcombe for SD and above - £50 to Steve Gibbons
4-6 Oct: Farnes for scenic diving and the seals - contact Nick Levesque
12 Oct: Eastbourne wreck diving for SD and above - £30 to Vaughan Simpson
25-26 Oct: Eastbourne wreck diving for SD and above - £30 to Vaughan Simpson
Sep 2009: Porquerolles, France for some deep stuff (DL) - we couldn't get enough together quickly this year - 9 already interested for next year though - contact John Heagney or Flo Lorillard
Other trips will be added to this programme - particularly for training and dive fitness in the early part of the year.

Please, please, please get deposits to trip organisers so we can confirm boats bookings.

Training:
------------ -
Theory training done for the winter - thanks to Iestyn for organising that. He has various theory assessments planned for this Tuesday 19 Feb at the Bricklayer's Arms - are they allowed to refill their pint mid-test?

Also let Iestyn know what else you want to achieve in the year so he can consider the relevant training.

Kit maintenance advice from the DO:
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
There will not be much diving the next few weeks for most of us. But where is your kit? You do not want to use it now, but next year you will want it to keep you buoyant, give you air, keep you warm and shed light under rocks.

I suggest you do these things now or very early in the New Year:
- If you have a rechargeable dive light, put in a bucket of water and let it burn until flat. Then dry it and recharge it fully.
- If you have a battery dive light take the batteries out and keep safe.
- Check and grease the seals in your light anyway.
- Unscrew the dump valve of you BC or wing and rinse the bag out.
- Put it back carefully and the right way around! Check it works
- Soak your BC/wing inflator in a bucket overnight to dissolve old salt inside.
- If your regulator or tanks need servicing do it now while the workshops are quiet.
- Put your reg on your tank and connect up the BC. Open the first stage. Leave for 30-45 minutes and see if the BC inflates due to leaking past the inflator. If it does get it serviced. Or come around to see me......
- Check straps on fins and masks for splits and perishing.
- Check and talc seals on drysuits - but you do that everytime don't you?
- Anything you did not soak thoroughly last time you used it, soak it now to get salt off.

Idiotic standards:
------------ --------- -----
See the following thread for hope about the silliness on nitrox tank
valves http://www.bsacforu m.co.uk/forums/ showthread. php?t=10262

News @ 10: 12 Feb 08 #Trial of new pub#

Renewals: You should have received your annual membership renewal letter. Renewals should be in by the end of this week to allow Vaughan to do his stuff by the end of the month.

Social:
-------
NEW PUB Trial of new pub until at least 4 March - the Bricklayer's Arms in Waterman Street (http://www.bricklay ers-arms. co.uk/?page_ id=14). We will decide at the next committee meeting whether to make the change permanent - if you are not on the committee and have an opinion on this vital issue then let me know.

27 Feb (exceptionnally Weds): Thai dinner & brand new film "Sharkwater" @ Apollo Cinema in West End - contact Flo

Trips
----
The following trips are now planned for next year:
15-24 Feb: Provided Steve was well in time, he and Nick are now in the Sudanese Red Sea (lucky bastards - its freezing here)

NEW TRIP 26-27 Apr: RIB trip to Mixon Hole on the south coast for a little early season sharpener - £30 to Nic Levesque
3-5 May: Swanage for all levels but particularly training - £30 to James Hatch
17-18 May: Plymouth for OD and above - £30 to Steve Gibbons
7-14 Jun: Sark - full, contact John Heagney
28-29 Jun: Portland wrecks at 30-35m for SD+ - £40 to Flo Lorillard
23-25 Aug: Salcombe for SD and above - £50 to Steve Gibbons
4-6 Oct: Farnes for scenic diving and the seals - contact Nick Levesque
12 Oct: Eastbourne wreck diving for SD and above - £30 to Vaughan Simpson
25-26 Oct: Eastbourne wreck diving for SD and above - £30 to Vaughan Simpson
NEW TRIP Sep 2009: Porquerolles, France for some deep stuff (DL) - we couldn't get enough together quickly this year - 9 already interested for next year though - contact John Heagney or Flo Lorillard
Other trips will be added to this programme - particularly for training and dive fitness in the early part of the year.

Please, please, please get deposits to trip organisers so we can confirm boats bookings.

Training:
---------
Theory training done for the winter - thanks to Iestyn for organising that. He has various theory assessments planned for this Tuesday 19 Feb at the Bricklayer's Arms - are they allowed to refill their pint mid-test?

Also let Iestyn know what else you want to achieve in the year so he can consider the relevant training.

Kit maintenance advice from the DO:
------------ --------- --------- ---------
There will not be much diving the next few weeks for most of us. But where is your kit? You do not want to use it now, but next year you will want it to keep you buoyant, give you air, keep you warm and shed light under rocks.

I suggest you do these things now or very early in the New Year:
- If you have a rechargeable dive light, put in a bucket of water and let it burn until flat. Then dry it and recharge it fully.
- If you have a battery dive light take the batteries out and keep safe.
- Check and grease the seals in your light anyway.
- Unscrew the dump valve of you BC or wing and rinse the bag out.
- Put it back carefully and the right way around! Check it works
- Soak your BC/wing inflator in a bucket overnight to dissolve old salt inside.
- If your regulator or tanks need servicing do it now while the workshops are quiet.
- Put your reg on your tank and connect up the BC. Open the first stage. Leave for 30-45 minutes and see if the BC inflates due to leaking past the inflator. If it does get it serviced. Or come around to see me......
- Check straps on fins and masks for splits and perishing.
- Check and talc seals on drysuits - but you do that everytime don't you?
- Anything you did not soak thoroughly last time you used it, soak it now to get salt off.

Idiotic standards
------------ -----
See the following thread for hope about the silliness on nitrox tank
valves http://www.bsacforu m.co.uk/forums/ showthread. php?t=10262

CHANGE OF PUB from this Tuesday 12th Feb - Welcome Bricklayer's Arms!

All,

Due to increasing noise levels at the JG on Tuesdays night, 4 intrepid members of your committee in the interests of research visited the Bricklayers Arms as a potential new venue for our club nights. Nick Beer has written a wonderful review - see below for full details.

We will meet in the Bricklayers Arms for a trail period of a month, after which we will carry out a poll on whether we make the Bricklayers our new permanent venue.

Now enjoy Nick's review below.

Regards,

Martha

Martha took us (Monica, Iestyn and myself) to the Bricklayerâ€™s Arms last night as part of the search for better venue than the JG. I said I would make a note of our impressions.

The four of us would give it our vote without hesitation. The pub is perfect and many congratulations to Martha! The bull points are:

The bar staff (Mandy plus one) are friendly and have time to serve you and chat; they were pleased to see us and would welcome us as regular Tuesday night drinkers.
It dates from about 1850 and has a lot of old photos on the walls, showing how the area used to be. There is bar skittles available.
We can reserve a table.
It is quiet and not over crowded. There was quiet background music on and they assured us it is never louder than when we visited.
It was named CAMRA's Greater London Pub Of The Year 2007 and is the only pub in London to stock the full range of Timothy Taylor championship beers (Ram Tam, Dark Mild, Best Bitter, Landlord etc -- "We are not a tied house but an independent freehouse who just happen to think that Timothy Taylor ale is the best"). They also had draught Budvar, Staropramen, San Miguel, Fosters, Guinness, Strongbow. They do guest ales in rotation and on the night of our visit these were Weston's Cider, Black Gold (A Scottish championship beer), Dark Munro, Orkey Best and -- wait for it -- Scapa Special (these last three from the Highland brewery). This surely must be an omen!
Food can be arranged through a delivery service from an associated company who take 45 minutes to deliver but can take orders in advance. Their menu is attached. Bar snacks appear to be limited to crisps.
Car parking is not easy in front of the pub but there is plenty at the end of the road (Lower Richmond Road) or beside the river. The pub is up a cul de sac running south from Lower richmond Road about 200m from Putney Bridge and parallel to the High Street.

http://www.bricklay ers-arms. co.uk/ has more info. Phone number 020 8789 0222.

HISTORY (ARTICLE DATED 2006)
Reopened for a year now, the oldest pub in Putney is firmly back on the map. Built in 1826 on the site of an old coaching house and blacksmithâ€™s forge, it was licensed to sell beer and cider after the Duke of Wellingtonâ€™s Beer Act. Being so close to the river, the Watermanâ€™s Arms, as it was then known, was frequented mostly by the Thames Freemen and Lightermen. At the end of the 19th century, it became the Bricklayerâ€™s Arms, with the massive amount of construction taking place in the area due to the extension of the railway line. Builders would meet at the pub to be given work and also to be paid. There were three sections, each with separate doors: one for off-sales, one for the bosses and another where the brickies relaxed.

Happy drinking,

Nick

NOTE Change of Pub from this Tuesday 12th Feb - Farewell, JG .... welcome Brickl

All,

We will meet in the Bricklayers Arms for a trail period of a month, after which we will carry out a poll on whether we make the Bricklayers our new permanent venue.

Now enjoy Nick's review below.

Regards,

Martha

News @ 10 - 23 Jan 08 #Renewals coming soon#

Renewals: You should be receiving your annual membership renewal letter in the next week or so. Renewals are due by the end of February. Please get them in quickly to avoid Vaughan and others having to chase you.

Social:
-------
31 Jan: 7.30 at The Arab Boy then 8 pm at Ma Goa - Please let Monica know if you are planning to come because it is going to be full

Trips
----
The following trips are now planned for next year:
15-24 Feb: Sudan Red Sea with Steve and Nick - book @ www.scuba.co. uk
3-5 May: Swanage for all levels but particularly training - £30 to James Hatch
17-18 May: Plymouth for OD and above - £30 to Steve Gibbons
7-14 Jun: Sark - full, contact John Heagney
28-29 Jun: Portland wrecks at 30-35m for SD+ - £40 to Flo Lorillard
23-25 Aug: Salcombe for SD and above - £50 to Steve Gibbons
CANCELLED 14-21 Sep: Porquerolles, France for some deep stuff - not enough people
4-6 Oct: Farnes for scenic diving and the seals - contact Nick Levesque
12 Oct: Eastbourne wreck diving for SD and above - £30 to Vaughan Simpson
25-26 Oct: Eastbourne wreck diving for SD and above - £30 to Vaughan Simpson
Other trips will be added to this programme - particularly for training and dive fitness in the early part of the year.

Please, please, please get deposits to trip organisers so we can confirm boats bookings.

Training:
---------
Iestyn has now planned the theory training for the early part of the year so please book yourself on these as soon as possible - especially if you need a training pack. These sessions will all be at Hurlingham Yacht Club.

Sunday 27th January 9am. Dive Leader theory (part 2) AND Oxygen Administration course (Instructors: Steve Gibbons, James Hatch, Iestyn John).

Sunday 3rd February 9am. Sports Diver theory/Ocean Diver theory (Instructors: Nick Levesque, Steve Gibbons)
Sunday 24th February. Spare. To be used if required for spill over/missed lectures.
Saturday 3rd - Monday 5th May - Open Water training weekend. Swanage. Open to all trainees (Instructors: Nick Levesque, Pete Probert, James Hatch, Iestyn John). You definitely need to get your name down for this one (speak to/email James Hatch).

Also let Iestyn know what else you want to achieve in the year so he can consider the relevant training.

Kit maintenance advice from the DO:
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- -----
There will not be much diving the next few weeks for most of us. But where is your kit? You do not want to use it now, but next year you will want it to keep you buoyant, give you air, keep you warm and shed light under rocks.

I suggest you do these things now or very early in the New Year:
- If you have a rechargeable dive light, put in a bucket of water and let it burn until flat. Then dry it and recharge it fully.
- If you have a battery dive light take the batteries out and keep safe.
- Check and grease the seals in your light anyway.
- Unscrew the dump valve of you BC or wing and rinse the bag out.
- Put it back carefully and the right way around! Check it works
- Soak your BC/wing inflator in a bucket overnight to dissolve old salt inside.
- If your regulator or tanks need servicing do it now while the workshops are quiet.
- Put your reg on your tank and connect up the BC. Open the first stage. Leave for 30-45 minutes and see if the BC inflates due to leaking past the inflator. If it does get it serviced. Or come around to see me......
- Check straps on fins and masks for splits and perishing.
- Check and talc seals on drysuits - but you do that everytime don't you?
- Anything you did not soak thoroughly last time you used it, soak it now to get salt off.

Idiotic standards
------------ -----
See the following thread for hope about the silliness on nitrox tank
valves http://www.bsacforu m.co.uk/forums/ showthread. php?t=10262

Latest News!

In this week's news @ 10pm, 18th December 2007!

- more trips announced - get booking;
- the winter theory programme from Iestyn;
- some timely kit maintenance advice from Steve.

Happy Christmas to everyone.

James

Latest News 5th December 2007!

In this week's News @ 10:

- confirmed trips planned for this year need your booking and deposit

- let Iestyn know what training you want to achieve this year

- final Xmas party plans
- notes from Diving Officer's Conference

James