Ilfracombe Sub Aqua Club to hold open evening

THE Ilfracombe and North Devon Sub Aqua Club has been so delighted with the response to its appeal for information relating to the club s history that it is organising an open evening on September 9 in the clubhouse in Ropery Walk, Ilfracombe, opposite th

THE Ilfracombe and North Devon Sub Aqua Club has been so delighted with the response to its appeal for information relating to the club's history that it is organising an open evening on September 9 in the clubhouse in Ropery Walk, Ilfracombe, opposite the bus station.

"Former members have come forward with items of interest, photographs and stories that will help provide a comprehensive overview of the club's first 50 years from its inception at the Railway Hotel Ilfracombe, to the present day, incorporating the special Golden Celebrations planned for next year to mark the occasion," said Chris Mandry, one of the club co-ordinators.

The club is hoping for an even bigger response to its appeal for help and is indebted to the family of the late Eric Laramy, one of the club's founder members, for bringing to light his dive log book along with the receipt for his first year's subscription, �2 10. 00.

The documents will be treasured by the club but they have also raised some interesting points. It has always been assumed that the first ever dive was at Brandy Cove but Eric's log clearly shows the first dive was off Morte Point to dive on a wrecked Wellington bomber.

The second dive the following week was in Brandy Cove, when they dived to 40ft to survey the bottom some 50 yards off shore.

Anyone is welcome to the open evening and the club would still love to hear from anyone about its history.

People can contact Mel Greville at mel.greville@btinternet.com especially if they have any old photographs or artefacts that will help tell the story of 50 years of diving the Bristol Channel.