Welcome
This is nominally the final SCUBA of 2023 , but you will receive one more , the January 2024 issue , on or around 15 December . Magazine lead-in dates – they confuse everyone , but that ’ s the way it is .
Anyway , this being the final proper issue of BSAC ’ s 70th year , we ’ re running a few anniversary-appropriate features after the blanket coverage of last month ’ s Special . Thanks , by the way , for all the positive feedback on that issue ... I ’ m really pleased you enjoyed it .
Accordingly , this issue carries photo stories on Stephen Dorricott ’ s celebratory shindig at Capernwray [ page 34 ] and the Thames Boat Run [ page 40 ], conceived by Lisa Shafe and Adrian Collier . Adrian put a huge amount of effort into organising this epic event , which benefitted from good weather but was always in need of careful management . The team was Adrian ; Tony Marshall ; Mary Tetley and Neil Withers of the RNLI .
I was watching from the bridges , trying to get photos ; the suspense was palpable as the first RIBs emerged from a sunny haze behind Blackfriar ’ s Bridge . It was heartening to see so many BSAC people enjoying a surreal perspective of London ’ s riverside architecture .
Now this may embarrass him , but I think a special mention should go to Tony Marshall , veteran member and Vice President of the club , who put in a huge amount of effort to ensure its success .
Adrian Collier takes up the story : “ On the Friday Tony Marshall spent from 10.30am to 8.00pm in conditions that were horrid , with wind and rain on the river . He ensured the branch RIBs were secure to their moorings , and taxied the coxswains back to the sailing club . A true BSAC volunteer , not once did he complain . He just kept smiling .”
When the moment ’ s right , I suggest we all raise our glasses to the volunteers who make our BSAC experience the pleasure it is . We ’ d be nothing without them .
Simon Rogerson – Editor simon @ scubamagazine . co . uk
Cover photo : Diver ascending in the Red Sea by Neil Hope
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