Brief report on the annual dinner and dance

The event has been held now for nearly twenty years and we have moved from the “Vine” at Ower, The “Highfield” in Highfield Lane, the Marwell Resort Hotel, the Hilton Hotel at Chilworth and this is the 3^rd year at the Corus Hotel, formerly the “Potters Heron”.

We tend to make such a mess every year that we are too embarrassed to return. However the “Corus” Hotel seems to take it all in good humour.

The evening commenced at 6-30 p.m. for 7-30 sit-down, with “party poppers”, balloons, streamers, and PEA SHOOTERS, for the annual “WAR GAMES” fight, and once the combatants had run out of ammunition they then “tucked in” to a 3-course meal, plus coffee and mints, before Club Chairman Pete S came on the stage to present the Club Awards.

This started with the “Golden Fin” award for the best NOVICE diver, a tie between Kayley B (Dave's B's daughter) and Julie P. The next award was the “Barrier Trophy” for the member who in the committee’s opinion did the most for the club in the previous year. This was awarded to our new Training Officer, Dawn T, for her outstanding efforts in assisting in the training of the large number of trainees, and also for obtaining her Open Water Instructor qualification. The Chairmans award for the “person who has helped him (the Chairman) ” most in his year of office was awarded to “yours truly” (Pete A), probably because I regularly transport him and his kit to the Lyme Regis Hardboat week ends, not to mention carrying his (extremely heavy) twin-set to and from the dive shop for filling! (Pete doesn’t possess a DRIVING LICENCE).

The highlight of the “awards” is the “Black fin” for the biggest “cock-up” of the year, conducted by club “stalwart” and Past Chairman, Diving Officer, Social Secretary and just about everything else GRAHAM W.

Notable previous winners have included Equipment Officer (Boats), Bob D for a “computational error”, Bob W for emulating a “bouncing bomb”, when falling out of a R.I.B. at speed, and Pete W, for not actually cocking anything up, but being the “Buddy” of the all the nominees one year – VERY SUSPICIOUS!

This year it went to Paul H, following a dive on the Submarine M2 in Lyme bay, for his “helmsmanship” when motoring round Portland Bill, and a SECOND DIVE under a massive wave, drenching himself and the rest of the crew. Could have been quite nasty, but fortunately, they all emerged, egos dented, but otherwise in one piece.

The evening then went with a swing to the beat of “Bacardi Sounds” disco until the early hours, with quite a few sore heads the next morning I’m sure!

A GREAT EVENING, but then they all are, in what is undoubtedly, a GREAT DIVING CLUB. B.S.A.C. 0476


Peter, Kim, and Sally.	Pete and Karen

Rob (Club Diving Officer) practising for his attempt on Eastleigh BSAC’s giant snorkel swallowing record	Kim and Sally are determined to confiscate Derek C’s “killer” pea-shooter.

Pete S presenting Kayley B with this years Golden Fin award.	Pete S presenting Pete A with the Chairmans award.

Paul H explaining why he wasn’t at fault for nearly swamping the boat to be awarded the “Black Fin” award.	Rob A trying to fit Pete A into his new “goody bag.

Terry H, with Pete and Sue D.	Dave B warning daughter Kayley about the perils of the “Demon” drink.

Dawn and partner Tony.