Putney BSAC Weekly Focus

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Dear Club,

we waited a mere 3 years to go back to the Farne Islands off Northumberland but an intrepid party did finally make it. Neek Levesque planned this trip in 2007, took deposits in 2008 and after one double booking cock-up and the next year being blown out by the weather we did finally turn up to dive. Sadly we had to go without Neek and Jo who have had just the two children in the meanwhile. You might have thought that having babies might take longer than setting up a dive trip, now we know better.

The weather went along with us for two days. Sunday was a bit drizzly
but Saturday and Monday were just lovely with bright sun and light winds
from the south. John's verdict was "The best interaction with wild life in over 30 years of diving." Yes, the famous seal colony on the islands were at home and playful. The general rule for diving is "look but don't touch, take only pictures, leave only bubbles." But if the residents decide that they will come to you, then you are definitely allowed to keep still and let them. For four of the five dives we had a stream of young seals pulling on our fins, popping up to take a look at us. On two memorable occasions a young one came right up to John, peered into his camera, poked about his gear and waited for a scratch.like a friendly puppy. Truly amazing.

New Members:

Tom James and Hayley Collin have now joined. Hayley has had her first pool session and lectures. Tom joins Gary, Pan and Michal as a Sports Diver student and we will be sorting out a programme for them over Autumn with a hope of getting into open water training before it gets too chilly..

Please send me your photos to appear in the Weekly Focus

Farnes wild life, Steve Gibbons October 2010

L to R: Amanda and Tim rummaging, a full grown adult, a new pup

Training

Please note that you need to be Sports Diver or above to book on some of the 20110 trips. Please discuss any training requirements with your training officer, Steve Gibbons.

Ben Abensur has completed all his open water dives and lectures! Just the theory test to go and he is an Ocean Diver.

Gary, Pan and Tom join Michal for Sports Diver training.

Hayley has starting Ocean Diver training with her first pool session and first 3 lectures.

Steve will be consulting the instructors to put together a programme for our new members shortly.

AGM

The 2010 AGM is nearly here.

Where: Hurlingham Yacht Club (door entry code 1379E)
When: meet Tues 2nd November 19:30 for 20:00 start
Why:

You, the members have the chance to sack the committee and select a new one
We need to see where the money went and if we are going broke - or not
There are prizes!! Well, awards anyway

Anyone can put themselves forward or be put up by others for any job except the Diving Officer. The DO does need to be a members with sufficient experience and some common sense.
The club only allows people to hog a committee post for 3 years then they have to give it back. This ensures people who want to can have a turn.
Any job can change hands and these posts have to change: Chairman, Communications Sec, Membership Sec, Social Sec, Boat Officer and Diving Officer.
The others are Training, Secretary, Treasurer. Steve, Tor and Alex are willing to continue if no-one else wants to do a better job.

We also have the awards.

Semax Award: biggest contribution to the club
Putney Mouthpiece: best contribution to club publicity
Diver of the Year: it's all in the name
Photographer of the year: best photograph brought to the AGM to show
Putney Screw: biggest or best group humourous incident this year
Skomer Claw: biggest or best individual humourous incident this year

Get thinking, start remembering, make nominations, print your pictures and go for glory [ ?:-)? ] by standing for a job.

Before that Tim is organising the October curry at "The Thai" in Wandsworth Town on Thurs 28th in Wandsworth. Meet 19:30 at The Alma.

The Christmas Party is on 3rd Dec at Tu Chicas in Wimbledon, contact Martha.

Trips

If you've put your name down to organise a trip please start advertising it to the club and ask for support if you need it.

If you've put your name down to go on a trip please send your deposit to the organiser if it's been requested.

And if you'd like to organise a trip for one of the free weekends then please go ahead!

You can view details of all the trips on the website here.