St Helena Diving Club

The past few months have been fairly quiet on the diving front. It is still an active club with many enthusiastic divers. Mr Graham Sim still trains new interested divers, so generating more enthusiasm for the marine environment.

Annual Outing

The annual outing of the SHDC and the St Helena Yacht Club was another success this year. Many members and friends and family attended. A trip to see the dolphins, snorkelling, fishing and water sports were some of the things that were on offer throughout the day. The usual pot of pilau was made which always seems to have the greatest effect on your taste buds when out on the rocks.

DeepTrek

An English company called DeepTrek came to St Helena to discuss the possibility of carrying out salvage and archaeological work on the White Lion wreck. The SHDC members were invited to a meeting to discuss the proposal in which a lot of diving opportunities would benefit the island should the team come back.

Underwater Nature Trails

An Overseas Territories Environment Programme (OTEP) project to upgrade and establish both land and marine nature trails was approved last year. Work towards establishing the marine trails has started, and as part of this, members of the SHDC joined workers from Fisheries Section, ANRD on 2 Saturday dives during July to Long Ledge. The purpose of these dives was to establish what is actually there to see and then collate all of this information. The outcome will include fish guides, maps of the area and other information. It is also envisaged that there will be another two trails – one at Lemon Valley and one at the Front Steps.

St Helena Heritage Society

The Heritage Society held its AGM in June and Tony Green, who stepped into the breach when Alan Nicholls left to work in Ascension, was confirmed in post as Chairman. Other officers are Ray Hudson, Vice Chairman, Fr Fred George, Treasurer and Cathy Hopkins , Secretary. The main thrust of the Heritage Society’s work over the past year has been in the direction of the Museum – particularly important during the curator’s absence on training overseas. However, the society has welcomed the opportunity to become involved in discussion on the Deeptrek proposal and to comment on access environmental issues. Lucy Caesar (Director/Curator) has been extremely busy with two temporary exhibitions in the Museum- the Visions of the Peaks followed by the 2006 Art Show. Even as we go to press with this newsletter, Lucy is completing the preparations for the Preview of the Art show on 28 July.

Related Information

Member Reports May 2003

Member Reports October 2003

Member Reports January 2004

Member Reports April/May 2004

Member Reports August 2004

Member Reports February 2005

Member Reports December 2006

Member Reports March 2007

Member Reports December 2007

Art & Crafts Association

The Art and Crafts Association has moved into its new premises at Broadway House- regrettably the space is smaller and less given to displaying the variety of art & crafts work being produced by its members. We look forward to including a report on the association’s work in our next newsletter.