SCUBA SEPTEMBER 2024 issue 148 | Page 40

Ray Kirton is a founding member of Dudley Nautilus , celebrating its 50th anniversary this year . Here he looks back at the club ’ s early development
UKDIVING
A chilly dive beckons

Dreams of Dudley

Ray Kirton is a founding member of Dudley Nautilus , celebrating its 50th anniversary this year . Here he looks back at the club ’ s early development

As a founder member , the 50th anniversary of Dudley Nautilus BSAC 866 brings home that fact that I have been diving for half a century . So I ’ d like to take this opportunity to share a bit of our club ’ s history and set out what we have learned over the past five decades . As with other BSAC clubs , a lot of what we do is about continuity , developing our resources and training up our members to secure the club ’ s future . Pride certainly comes into the equation , and I must say how proud I am of the current committee , who have been moving things forward and promoting scuba diving to the people of Dudley , here in the West Midlands .

We founded the club the year after first contacting BSAC and asking how to go about setting up a new branch here in Dudley . I recall the HQ staff were brilliant – they sent us information on the practical tasks involved in setting up a club , the appointment of committee members , BSAC officer positions and how to phase in a programme of training .
Training Dive at Netherton Reservoir
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