Two of Hull's original founder members - now aged 90 and 85 who would like to contact fellow divers who helped to found the Hull Branch of the British Sub Aqua Club. They went by the name of Hull Frogmen – along with  four diving friends. Reg Thompson and Brian (Chick) Verity appeal for past members of the sub aqua club that Reg, Brian and others helped found in 1954 to  join in its Diamond Anniversary festivities.

Reg only hung up his fins 8 years ago at the age of 82. Reg and Brian are now honorary life members of our Club the British Sub Aqua Club Hull Branch.

We'd like to welcome as many past and present members as possible to attend a 60th birthday barbecue at the  Ship Inn in Dunswell on Sat June 28.

"We'd love to hear from former Hull Branch divers and to see any old photos or diving memorabilia you can bring along to share with us. As a club we must have had more than 1,500 members train and dive with us over the last six decades so hopefully some of you are still in the area and able to attend."

For more information about the Hull BSAC club's 60th anniversary barbecue on Sat. June 28 at 7.30pm Contact The Club Secretary Steph. Wattam  on 01482 631880 or  E-MAIL stephwattam@gmail.com       

Mary Tetley, the Chief Executive of the British Sub-Aqua Club, has paid tribute to the British Sub Aqua Hull branch. 
She says,

"Reg and Brian were early pioneers of the sport in the UK and have a proud heritage. The sport is growing in popularity and we are very proud that the Duke of Cambridge has just become the third generation of his family to become President of the British Sub-Aqua Club. He is following in footsteps of his father and grandfather at the helm of BSAC, which is the governing body for scuba diving.

The Duke has spoken of how he hopes his Presidency will inspire his little son George and other youngsters to also take the plunge and explore the underwater world. It is important this new generation remembers the contribution of people like Reg and Brian who helped lay the foundations for this fantastic and exciting sport."

Diving Officer Reg, an Advanced Diver, has dived all over the world, including the Red Sea, Barbados and Turkey. 

Brian, a First Class Diver and Instructor spent some time in America Key West Looking for sunken treasure. Brian who was in the fire service obtained a oxygen re-breather Breathing Apparatus Set and converted it to diving  this was abandoned after a few problems.

Both Reg and Brian agree that the best diving experiences have been off Flamborough Head on this coast.

Trevor Jones MBE,  Diving Officer, reminisces,

"I first met Reg at  a boat club at Hornsea coming out of the sea in a wetsuit. He Inspired me with his exploits in diving and encouraged me to take up the sport. After diving for over forty years I'm proud to be a Life Honorary Member of HULL Branch and be able to chat with Reg and Brian."   

Just a reminder that it is the AGM on Tuesday 10th June, just a few weeks away and this year is significant as it is our 60th Anniversary.

Over the years the number of members have declined for various reasons but our enthusiasm and appetite remain the same.  I hope this year, being a bit special, we have a good turn out.  

As usual there will be a buffet at the 'Break in the Proceedings' and a sixtieth birthday cake to cut and enjoy and of course opportunity to talk shop with other members.

HOPE TO SEE YOU AT THE AGM 19.30 hrs King William IV Cottingham

Paul Field, a member of Hull Branch, first suggested that we should have a Club Web Site and of course Paul got the job. That was sixteen years ago and what a fantastic Web Master he has been.

The Committee and members wish to thank Paul for his dedication and constant updating of the site over the years.

                                           WELL DONE PAUL!
 
The Branch has a new Web Master, Sarah Clinch to continue the good work and receive support from the Committee and Members.

The new issues of our legendary newsletter, Hullo, is now available here. Many thanks to editor Don Wilson. There's a great story from Matt Newsome about diving with sharks in Chester (yes, really), oh, and extreme horse riding of course. Go on, click, you know you want to.

Club member Paul Caldwell is looking to organise a trip to the Farnes in May. Contact us using the contact form to find out more, or contact Paul direct if you have his details.

Paul has pencilled in with Sovereign Divers (http://www.sovereigndiving.co.uk/diving.html) a dive hard boat (toilet, coffee, lift, oxygen etc) for the weekend of May 10th and 11th 2014 for Farnes diving. I've dived with them before and they are excellent.

Practicals. 
The boat is £450 per day taking min 6 people, max 12. We need 6 people to go hard on the trip asap and obviously others welcome and need confirming asap. Any spaces left over can be filled by Sovereign but there is no guarantee we will get the full 12, although there is a good chance. Sovereign is very well known.  Usually 2 dives per day leaving Seahouses around 9 and returning mid afternoon depending in tide etc. Usually on the sunday we finish by 14.00. This gives time sat pm to see the sights, beer garden and filling tanks. They may be able to do 3 dives on the saturday but will cost extre.

Accommodation. We can organise this through them at £30 pp pn B+B. In the past many of gone up to Seahouses on the saturdayaiming to arrive no later 0800 harbour side, approx 3.30 hrs to be safe from East Yorkshire. there is plenty of other accommodation locally but it can get booked. There is also a campsite/caravan site.

Food. Plenty of choice. I propose reserving a large table sat eve at a very good Curry house or Pizza place, both are excellent.

Other dates. Sovereign can do a boat weekend of April 26/27 but not the accomodation.

The latest edition of Hullo! is now available to read here - tales of an eventful boat handling course and the local Akranes wreck. Plus reflections on "The End of an Era". Those were the words of Paul Field as he relinquished his job as Webmaster after seventeen years. Paul said that he used to keep a record of the number of hits, thousands! Apparently the American military used to keep an eye on us. Any suggestions of what we should post on the site to get their attention again gratefully accepted! The club wants to thank Paul for all of his work and wishes him well for the future.

Hello to Hull BSAC 14 followers old and new and welcome to our new website!
 
To all our existing members, I hope you like our new site. Please have a good look round and let us know what you think. Hopefully, all your old favorites are still here somewhere, but if there's anything missing, again, please let us know. We'll develop the site and continue to add content over the coming months - keep checking this page for updates and the latest club news.
 
New to the club or to scuba diving? You couldn't have picked a better time. Our pool has just reopened and we still have places available for try dives and pool training. Click here to find more details.

Please note that the meeting on Tuesday 17th December will be the last one before Christmas.

THE FIRST MEETING OF THE NEW YEAR IS ON 7TH JANUARY 2014.

The pool also opens on that day at South Hunsley Sports Centre 7 to 8 pm for training, kit trial and swimming. Club meeting at 9 pm in the King William pub, Cottingham as usual.

SATURDAY 30TH NOVEMBER 10AM Note date change. Originally planned for 24 November.

Rush Lyvers is a fishing lake in Hedon and in 2002 several members of Hull BSAC dived the lake and removed items including a wheel barrow, duck trap and the inevitable shopping trolley that were snagging fishing tackle.

The lake is now under new ownership and they have little knowledge as to what lies beneath the surface. Hence we have been invited to have a dive, or series of dives to investigate. The owners will section off parts of the lake to enable diving to take place without interruption from fishermen.

Please e-mail tony.hodge@uk.bp.com or txt me on 079000 34952 if you are interested in this opportunity so that I can tell the lake owners. I am suggesting a 10.00am start with diving all morning.

Tony has suggested the pub for a drink after the dive - maybe also bacon butties!!

Thanks, Steph Wattam(Club Secretary)