2024 Christmas Celebration Dinner

Another year's diving done (except for the hardy few who insist on diving through winter!), and so it was time for our annual celebration dinner. Once again at the Red Lion in Welwyn, we had a record number of 60 members and partners sitting down for an excellent meal and a great chance to catch up.

The drinks and conversation flowed and the food went down a treat, and soon it was time for the recognition and club annual awards.

We owe a major part of our club's continuing growth to our expert instructors, who give up their time willingly and share their knowledge and expertise freely to our club members and guest try-divers - Thanks to you all:

Clive Murphy, Sue Howes, Russell Bruton, Howard Smith, Phillip Wilson, Richard Dew, Mark Norbury, Chris Jiggens, Tanya Warren, David McGuigan, and Simon Fitt-Stirling.

A big thank you to our man behind-the-scenes at Big Blue every week and for taking care of our club equipment - Andy Graham.

Club chairman Simon called out the many year's dedication and countless training sessions provided by our long-standing member and instructor Clive Murphy with an award of lifetime Honorary Membership.

A new, and somewhat less distinguished award of the "Weight Belt Trophy", for numerous welt-belt losses during the year went to Howard Smith!

Next some club awards: Awarded by Instructor Manager Russ Bruton, this year the Instructor of the Year was awarded to Howard Smith. Club Member of the Year, for unrivalled enthusiasm and sheer number of Sunday Morning/Monday evening dives in Arlesey - Daniel Keech. Awarded by Dive Officer Ricard Dew - the Diver of the Year award went to Anthony Gaunt, in recognition of frequency of joining trips and starting out on his Instructor training journey.

Last, but not least Pool Cleaner of the Year went to Wesley Saunders!

Finally, the embarrassing moments recognition - our Wooden Spoon awards! Recognising those who provided some additional unintended entertainment on trips - names & details will remain undisclosed on here to protect dignity!

Footnote: we held an impromptu raffle for a donated Hamper and raised £176 for RNLI