Ruby anniversary dinner dance

The Club gathered on 6 December for its annual dinner dance, but this time with a special theme—the Club’s ruby anniversary. Celebrating 40 years of diving, almost everyone made an effort to get at least a little bit of red into their outfits.

Lynne McArthy received the Best Novice award

It was a fantastic evening of eating drinking and dancing, enjoyed by all. As ever, there were awards being made to those who have shone over the last year. And, of course, a few to those who managed to do something particularly badly!

The Chairman’s Award went to Keith Bond for founding the Club 40 years ago. Angie Deaves received the Bent Propeller for her fantastic efforts in getting new members into the club. Richard Wells was recognised for his work in organising RIB trips, including many scalloping outings and the Isles of Scilly trip. Jeannie Parnham received the Jacques Cousteau book for her trip organising, including Babbacombe Bay. Lynne McCarthy was Novice of the Year, having notched up over 40 dives and achieved Sports Diver in a few months. Peter Neal was this year’s wettest diver with 99 dives.

On the slightly less meritorious side, Miles Howarth received the Golden Weight award for his extraordinary ability to get through dry suits, whilst Andy Bacon got a special mention for managing to spend twenty minutes underwater at Stoney before noticing that a rodent had put a large hole in his drysuit! There was mention, too, for Mohammed, the Egyptian bus driver who transported some of the club on the Red Sea trip in September, who was honoured in his absence for his total cluelessness when it came to dealing with a puncture!

All in all a great evening, and big thanks to Hilary for her hard work in organising it.

There are a few photos of the evening to browse through here.